Roche, Trimeris Seek FDA Approval To Use Needle-Free Injection Device To Administer Antiretroviral Fuzeon
Pharmaceutical companies Roche and Trimeris on Monday announced they have filed for FDA approval to use a needle-free injection device to administer the antiretroviral drug Fuzeon, the AP/Forbes.com reports. The Biojector 2000 injection system, which is manufactured by Bioject Medical Technologies, uses power from a CO2 cartridge to spread liquid medication through the skin. The device has been available since 1996 and is used to administer subcutaneous and intramuscular medications. Fuzeon, which is a fusion inhibitor, currently is approved for use with a needle and syringe. The companies said they expect FDA to make a decision on the application later this year. Roche and Trimeris also announced plans to test patient acceptance of the device in a clinical trial, called the Fuzeon Wand study (AP/Forbes.com, 7/18).
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