Source: Sanofi
Kaleo Pharmaceuticals announced on Wednesday it plans on reintroducing a viable EpiPen alternative back onto the market in the first half of 2017.
The Auvi-Q injector delivers the same life-saving epinephrine shot as the EpiPen device, which is owned by Mylan. Kaleo’s product is smaller than its competitor and is built with a voice navigation system to guide users through the injection process.
Sanofi had pulled the injector from the market last year after the company said it received reports the device was not administering a reliable dose of epinephrine, according to NPR. Kaleo, the original inventor of this product, bought back the rights to it in February.
“After regaining the rights to AUVI-Q, kaléo conducted a thorough manufacturing assessment and invested in new technology and quality systems to ensure accurate, reliable and consistent delivery from the product. AUVI-Q is manufactured on an intelligent, high-tech, 100% automated robotic production line with more than 100 automated quality checks on each AUVI-Q, ensuring a streamlined and consistent production process,” said the company in a statement.
Mylan recently came under scrutiny for its decision to raise the price of the epinephrine injector since acquiring it in 2007. A two-pack of EpiPens originally cost $100, but the price was raised over 500 percent reaching $608 in 2016.
The company said in August it would launch a generic version at the end of this year with a list price of $300, noted Reuters.
Kaleo CEO Spencer Williamson told Reuters his firm is deciding on what the right price will be so that patients will have a low co-pay, but officials from the company declined to comment on a specific list price.
Filed Under: Drug Discovery
