On The Issue: The 2024 Innovation Awards

The 2024 Innovation Award is presented to Joel A. Gresham, Lead Engineer, Crux Product Design and Simon J. Dell, Senior Principal Scientist – Device Development Lead, Pfizer for a 3D imaging and analysis of large volume viscous injections with fast delivery rates in a porcine model. This study takes important steps towards addressing these risks, by providing high-resolution micro-CT visualizations with quantitative analysis of spatial injectate distributions and tissue responses (backpressure, bleb/wheal formation, leakage, intramuscular & intradermal penetration) for different volume, viscosity and rate combinations. For the first time, the interactions between injected formulation and tissue layers (including blood/lymph vessels) are shown in detail with 3D reconstructions and X-ray video for real-time visualization of fluid transport through SC tissues.

The 2024 Partnership Innovation Award is presented to Duncan Paterson, MSc, MBA, Senior Director, Device Development, AstraZeneca and Michael Herd, MEng, Senior Engineering Consultant, Team Consulting for an innovative mechanical solution for reusable autoinjectors designed to realize cost and sustainability benefits. In recent years, the concept of device reusability has garnered significant attention due to its potential to lower costs and minimize the environmental impact of drug delivery devices. As a result, reusable autoinjectors have emerged as an attractive and possibly more sustainable choice, particularly for chronic conditions that necessitate frequent dosing.