ArQ - Bios

Formulation Characterisation

Characterizing formulations is a key part of Ovals approach to customizing ArQ^® - Bios to a new drug. Through the use of our injection characterization system, we can explore all aspects of the formulation, including challenging delivery characteristics such as non-newtonian behaviors, high sensitivity to temperatures, and tendencies to clog and settle. Understanding these characteristics at the early stages of the customization process is key to developing an autoinjector that will reliably work for the patient every time.

Controlling Force and Impact

Whilst the delivery of high viscosity formulations can be achieved by widening the needle bore or increasing delivery time, both can have a negative effect on the patient’s experience when using a device. The only truly patient-centric approach when delivering high viscosities is to increase the internal delivery forces of the device whilst isolating them from the user.

Increased internal delivery forces can introduce complications for the device, however, leading to large stresses being applied on components during delivery. This is shown above, where a large peak in pressure is shown at the start of delivery when the container is impacted by the delivery spring.

Oval has explored multiple methods to control this force and impact in the development of ArQ^® - Bios. Solutions including the use of a damped power source for delivery, preventing the build-up of momentum and avoiding impact loads, and mechanisms decoupling the delivery force from the actuation force, reducing the potential for the user to impose additional forces on the device, have been included, giving a device that reliably deals with its delivery requirements.

High Strength Drug Containers

Even with measures to control force and impact on the device, maintaining an acceptable delivery time and bore diameter for the patient whilst delivering a highly viscous formulation requires high internal pressures. Oval’s development work has shown that it requires ~100 bar to deliver 1ml of a 1,000cP fluid through a 25G needle in 5s. Oval’s COC drug containers are ideally suited to this, as COC is more liable to deform, flex, or fail plastically when stressed, unlike glass which has a tendency to shatter presenting a risk to patients. Alongside this, using COC also allows Oval to integrate features to interface with the surrounding components, ensuring a more compact, stable, and robust device than that built around a glass container.

High-Pressure Pistons

Achieving high pressures during delivery also requires the design of a plunger that can function effectively at pressure extremes. Plungers are often tasked with ensuring low friction with the container, preventing drug backflow, and providing a sterile barrier. However, combining all of these, often conflicting, requirements in a single component can lead to compromises. Instead, Oval uses cup seal and foil technology, with aluminum foil induction welded to the back of the container to provide a robust microbial seal, and a high-density polyethylene cup seal providing the liquid seal, whilst its lubricity maintains low glide force throughout its shelf life. To handle high pressures present during use, Oval has reinforced the cup seal design to ensure stability and rigidity of the component during use.

If you are interested in partnering with Oval on ArQ^® - Bios, or want to find out more about the platform's capabilities, please contact us.