Injection devices for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients: Comparing usability of two autoinjectors

By Timothy Visich

We partnered with Merck & Co., Inc and Samsung Bioepis and conducted a simulated-use comparative study on two autoinjectors used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often treated by effective biologics delivered in different types of injection devices. RA patients, who are often limited in dexterity capabilities, are sometimes prescribed self-injection devices to deliver injections on themselves. Using an injection device for self-delivery can be a hard task for RA patients to complete, and even painful depending on the device being used. Recently, Merck & Co., Inc and Samsung Bioepis have developed the Brenzys autoinjector with the goal of improving the self-injection experience for RA patients.Brenzys (left) and Enbrel (right)

While delivering a biosimilar of etanercept (Enbrel), the Brenzys device offers the following advantages:

• Eliminates the need for pressing down on an injection button with the thumb
• Does not require the use of two hands
• Contains an ergonomic grip
• Provides easily comprehended injection completion confirmation
• Requires fewer steps for the injection process than the Enbrel autoinjector

Core HF designed and validated a survey to analyze usability preferences between the new Brenzy autoinjector and the Enbrel autoinjector for RA treatment. Two user groups from Canada and Australia were recruited: 191 Patients with RA and 90 Health Care Providers (HCPs) with experience treating patients with RA. of the key results from the study are described below and shows that users preferred the Brenzy autoinjector to the Enbrel autoinjector in various aspects:

• Brenzys was significantly more likely to be preferred based on responses on every survey question
• 60% of all participants preferred removing the Brenzys cap 79% of participants reported that Brenzys was easier to use
• 87% of HCPs preferred to teach patients how to use the Brenzy
• Both Australian and Canadian (combined French and English speakers) users preferred the Brenzys (p<0.001)

Overall, this study shows that both RA patients and HCPs prefer the usability of the Brenzys autoinjector in comparison to the Enbrel autoinjector. Brenzys is expected to improve the experience of self-injecting RA medication for a user group effected by hand dexterity impairments. Lastly, the predicted easier training characteristics of Brenzys suggests that training could be less of a burden and more effective than with Enbrel autoinjectors.

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