AbbVie has partnered with Eisai and its gastrointestinal diseases unit EA Pharma to introduce an auto-injection delivery pen for Humira drug. The auto-injector system is available in two variants of 0.4ml pen to deliver 40mg Humira subcutaneously and 0.8ml for 80mg dose.

Intended to allow simple self-injection, the pen-type devices feature round body to enable easy handling even for patients with a weak grip. They are designed for complete drug injection in around ten seconds. The systems additionally come with lock function, alert sounds for injection start and finish, along with an inspection window. These devices contain the same drug solution as the standard pre-filled syringes.

Humira is a fully human anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody that neutralises tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) protein associated with the inflammatory response of autoimmune diseases. In Japan, the drug is indicated for rheumatoid arthritis, plaque and arthritic psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, intestinal Behçet’s disease, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, pustular psoriasis and moderate to severe ulcerative colitis.