Thinfilm has partnered with Ypsomed, a leading developer and manufacturer of injection systems for self-medication. The printed electronics and smart systems leader is providing its NFC OpenSense technology for the YpsoMate autoinjector in order to improve patient self-care compliance.

YpsoMate autoinjectors are disposable two-step injection systems that house pre-filled glass or polymer syringes, and they are triggered by push-on-skin activation. Patients use autoinjectors to self-deliver periodic injections for the ongoing management of chronic conditions.

“Ypsomed is developing some prototypes with our help currently, and they’re also working behind the scenes to determine what the ultimate protocol is here as far as the patient regimen,” explains Bill Cummings, vice president of marketing and communication, Thinfilm. “The NFC tag with the antenna portion, with the chip and the logic, is going to be affixed to the main body of the pen, and then the extended sensing loop is going to stretch over the cap.”

Thinfilm’s OpenSense tags can be used with a custom mobile app, where patients can receive valuable compliance assistance such as adherence history, injection reminders, usage guidelines, refill instructions and authentication. This technology also enables doctors to monitor their patients and whether or not they are adhering to daily self-medication requirements. This could include taking daily shots for rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.

NFC OpenSense tags are thin, flexible labels that can detect both the state before and after injection, as well as wirelessly deliver content to patients through the tap of a smartphone. Patients’ interactions with the YpsoMate Smart device are then stored in the cloud.

This product is designed for patients who need to take a prescribed amount of medication via an injector pen, be it once a day or once a week. They would be provided with the appropriate quantity, and then the pen works in combination with the customized smart phone application. By tapping the smart phone to the YpsoMate autoinjector, a recording is made of the factory-sealed state. Patients will tap the phone before and after using the autoinjector. Users can also receive information about the authenticity of the product.

Each tag contains a unique identifier that makes it possible to track every YpsoMate Smart label to the individual-item level. The tag also remains active even after the factory seal has been broken, enabling an extended dialogue between patients, doctors and brands.

“On the back end, if you think about the cloud and where this data is stored, it can be viewed as a dashboard. Most likely it’s going to be a scenario where a doctor, at any point, can go in and take a look at this particular patient’s injection history to see that they are adhering to the regimen or complying to the treatment schedule that’s been prescribed,” explains Cummings. “There are some other scenarios where, if a patient is not sticking to that schedule, doctors could be sent alerts that this patient has not taken their injection the last two scheduled times, for example. It would give the doctors intelligence of information that they may be able to reach out to the patient directly and follow up.”

Thinfilm’s latest partnership illustrates the functional use of labels across a wide range of verticals. Other products featuring smart label technology include wine and spirits, cosmetics and now pharmaceuticals. “I think it’s quite an important announcement,” adds Cummings. “Compliance really is an indicator of how closely a patient follows instructions for taking their medication, and obviously there are implications on the patient outcome side. If they’re taking medication regularly and according to their prescribed schedule, the thought is they’re going to be better off. Whatever condition they happen to be afflicted with will be remedied or they’ll be able to maintain their health according to that schedule.”

In Ypsomed’s 2015-16 Semi-Annual Report, the company announced its plans to invest over 50 million Swiss Francs into the research and development of smart technologies. The goal is to create the next generation of smart delivery systems, and the latest release is viewed as “a tremendous help” in the patient adherence field.

The new product debuted at “The Universe of Pre-filled Syringes and Injection Devices,” an event that was sponsored by PDA. It took place from November 3-4 at the Austria Center Vienna in Vienna, Austria.

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