Over the past few decades, the pharmaceutical industry has seen a steady shift toward parenteral self-administration and home-based care. As a result, patients – not trained healthcare professionals (HCPs) – take charge in preparing and injecting these biologic therapies. However, this convenience has not extended to lyophilized therapies. Traditionally supplied through vial kit systems, they often require HCP supervision and involve more than a dozen manual steps – from transferring diluent and mixing to ensuring proper injection technique. Each additional step increases the risk of user error, contamination, and medication waste.

These usability barriers have long challenged efforts to bring lyophilized drugs directly into patients’ hands. The solution, it seems, may lie not only in formulation chemistry but also in innovative drug delivery device design.

A novel approach: Reunite™ by SHL Medical

A recent article published in ONdrugDelivery magazine explores this challenge through the lens of Reunite™, a novel dual-chamber autoinjector developed by SHL Medical. Designed to integrate drug reconstitution and injection into a single streamlined process, Reunite aims to make lyophilized drug delivery more convenient and intuitive for end users.

Unlike conventional vial kits, Reunite houses the lyophilized drug and its diluent within a dual-chamber cartridge (DCC). When activated, the system automatically mixes the two components, preparing the dose for injection in just three simple steps – unlock, twist, and push. The device also incorporates SHL’s proprietary Needle Isolation Technology (NIT®), which conceals the needle before and after use to enhance safety and minimize handling risks.

These design features create a more user-friendly experience. Fewer steps mean less opportunity for error, and integrated reconstitution helps eliminate contamination risk during mixing.

The strategic value of reunite

The strategic value of Reunite lies in its ability to serve as a platform solution for pharmaceutical companies seeking to leverage the benefits of lyophilized formulations while overcoming traditional delivery barriers. Key advantages include:

  • Expanding Access to Lyophilized Therapies: Reunite removes reliance on vial kits and manual reconstitution, making lyophilized drugs more practical and commercially viable.
  • Enabling Patient-Centric Self-Administration: Its three-step process and technical features simplify user handling and support convenient self-injection.
  • Enhancing Supply Chain Efficiency: By reducing cold-chain dependence and inventory risk, Reunite supports more resilient and scalable distribution models.
  • Accelerating Development and Reducing Risk: SHL’s device expertise and collaboration with partners like LyoTech help streamline development and speed time to market.

For readers interested in exploring this topic further, the full article by Dr. Nina Fetz, “Advancing Lyophilized Drug Delivery with Reunite: Reconstitution Made Simple,” offers an in-depth look at the science and strategy behind this development.

Download the full article below.