3M Drug Delivery Systems Announces Availability Of The Hollow Microstructured Transdermal System For Use In Preclinical Studies

New design enhancements for dexterity-challenged patients

3M Drug Delivery Systems Division has announced availability of 3M hollow microstructured transdermal system (hMTS) for pharmaceutical and biotech companies interested in conducting preclinical studies. 3M hollow microneedle technology offers a patient-friendly intradermal delivery solution for difficult to deliver biologics, and provides an updated design based on human factors testing and voice-of-customer research.

“The progression of this technology has been so exciting, and now companies can take the next step – preclinical trials,” said Ingrid Blair, Vice President, Transdermal Business, 3M Drug Delivery Systems. “Whether partners work with 3M to conduct these trials using our resources, or they simply need a supply of single-use 3M hMTS delivery systems for their own preclinical studies, they now have options.”

With patients’ needs in mind, human factors refinements to the 3M hMTS include a textured grip and the capability for non-specific actuation. A cap protects the microneedle array. Upon removal of the cap, the patient simply adheres the single-use delivery system to the skin of his or her thigh or abdomen, and presses down to begin dosing. An audible click provides assurance that the system has been activated. Once applied to the skin and activated, the delivery system does not need to be held in place, leaving patients’ hands-free. The status of the dose being delivered is visible as a blue indicator that moves across the progress window. Wear time ranges from 15 seconds to 5 minutes depending on the volume and viscosity of the drug.

With the new design improvements, 3M hMTS may provide valuable differentiation for drug products intended for dexterity-challenged patients while offering the capability to deliver liquid formulations of 0.5 mL up to 2 mL over a range of viscosities.

“We are pleased to introduce this new device design based on human factors studies for our 3M hollow microstructured transdermal delivery system,” concluded Ingrid Blair. “This is a significant milestone that moves us one step closer to commercialization.” For more information, visit 3M.com/dds.

About 3M Drug Delivery Systems
3M Drug Delivery Systems partners with pharmaceutical and biotech companies to develop and manufacture pharmaceutical products using 3M's inhalation, transdermal or microneedle drug delivery technology. 3M offers a full range of feasibility, development and manufacturing capabilities to help bring products to market. Regulatory expertise, quality assurance, operations, marketed product support and other in-house resources are available for each step of the development and commercialization process. For more information, visit www.3M.com/dds.

About 3M
3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $31B in sales, 3M employs 89,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com.