Patients Get a Grip on a Syringe

PolyOne GLS Thermoplastic Elastomers, a global leader in high-performance, custom-formulated thermoplastic elastomer solutions (TPEs), announced that its GLS VersaflexTM OM 1060X-9 TPE was a large component in an award-winning prefilled syringe designed by OXO, a New York-based consumer products brand, for UCB, a global biopharmaceutical leader. The syringe and its secondary components were designed for use with UCB’s CIMZIA® (certolizumab pegol), a prescription medication for adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis or adults with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional treatments.

This innovative syringe system was developed to help patients suffering with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and takes into account specific dexterity challenges some patients may face when self-administering their medication. It is also available to Crohn’s disease patients taking Cimzia® for subcutaneous self-administration.

Specially designed to offer patients comfort and control, its features include a non-slip finger grip and an overmolded ergonomic thumb pad, both molded from the TPE material. The soft feel, flexibility and resilience of Versaflex OM 1060X-9 helps with the overall usability of the syringe, while the non-slip grip reinforces the OXO Good Grips® brand.

“Our TPEs excel in improving the user friendliness, ergonomics and safety of consumer products, from medical devices to tools to recreational equipment,” says Rick Noller, director of global marketing, PolyOne GLS Thermoplastic Elastomers.  “We’re very pleased that our Versaflex material helped OXO and UCB to address longstanding usability issues apparent with standard syringe design. With the strong trend toward greater use of home medical care, we foresee many new applications for GLS TPEs in medical devices, because our materials help empower patients to do more for themselves.”
 
The CIMZIA syringe has received numerous accolades for its design, including an Ease-of-Use Commendation from the Arthritis Foundation and a 2010 IDEA Silver award in the Medical category, and has been featured in Fast Company and Smart Design.
 
“OXO is known globally for innovative household tools, but this was the first time we extended our equity into healthcare,” says Alex Lee, president of OXO. “One of the crucial elements in the development of the syringe was to accommodate users with different grip styles and strengths. GLS Versaflex TPEs enabled us to deliver on comfort, ease of use and a secure grip, as well as an attractive appearance. The outstanding design flexibility of the GLS thermoplastic elastomer played an important role in the success of our breakthrough concept, and its soft-touch grip is helping patients with the self-administration of their medication.”
 

GLS Versaflex OM 1060X-9 TPE helps with the usability, safety and precision of the CIMZIA device. The non-slip finger grip allows the syringe to be held steadily with various grip positions, even by individuals with painful arthritis in their hands, while the thumb pad provides cushioned, stable leverage that allows these patients to push the plunger with improved force and accuracy.
 
This opaque, black overmolding grade is an ideal choice for applications requiring a soft, rubbery feel, excellent surface aesthetics and effective bonding to a variety of plastic substrates.
 
Serious and sometimes fatal side effects have been reported with CIMZIA  These include tuberculosis (TB), bacterial sepsis, invasive fungal infections (such as histoplasmosis), and infections due to other opportunistic pathogens.  Lymphoma and other malignancies also have been reported in children and adolescents.  CIMZIA is not indicated for use in pediatric patients.  Other serious side effects have been observed including heart failure, hypersensitivity reactions, hepatitis B virus reactivation, and certain neurologic and hematological reactions. For full prescribing information, please visit www.cimzia.com.

About PolyOne

PolyOne Corporation, with 2010 annual revenues of $2.6 billion, is a premier provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions. Headquartered outside of Cleveland, Ohio USA, PolyOne has operations around the world. For additional information on PolyOne, visit our Web site at www.polyone.com.

 About OXO
Founded in 1990 on the concept of Universal Design, OXO's mission is to create consumer household products that ease the tasks of everyday life for the widest range of users possible. Since the original 15 items were introduced, the OXO collection has grown to more than 800 strong covering areas for cooking, cleaning, gardening, storing, organizing and lighting. Today OXO Good Grips products are sold in 54 countries and are included in the permanent collections of numerous museums. The company has won more than 100 design and business awards worldwide. OXO is very frequently used as a case study on how a well-executed Universal Design philosophy can be a successful business strategy. OXO is owned by Helen of Troy Limited, a leading designer, producer and global marketer of brand-name personal care and household consumer products.

 About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative medicines with a focus on the fields of central nervous system and immunology disorders. Employing approximately 10 000 people in over 40 countries, UCB generated revenue of EUR 3.6 billion in 2008. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).