Sanofi-aventis to launch disposable insulin pens in Europe

French company sanofi-aventis is to launch a disposable insulin pen, SoloSTAR for use with the 24-hour insulin LANTUS or/and the rapid-acting insulin APIDRA in Europe in April 2007.

LANTUS SoloSTAR and APIDRA SoloSTAR have previously received European Commission approval.

The company, which developed, manufactures and markets the products, is currently building significant manufacturing capability to support worldwide launches. The first launch of LANTUS SoloSTAR is planned in Germany.

SoloSTAR is a new, easy-to-use disposable pen for administration of LANTUS and APIDRA. It reduces the injection force by 30% or more in comparison to other leading disposable pens. This is beneficial for all people with diabetes and in particular for those with lower grip strength and individuals with limited joint mobility of the hand.

SoloSTAR has doses up to 80 units adjustable in 1 unit steps. To help with correct insulin identification and differentiation, the pen comes in different colours for each different insulin.

'LANTUS SoloSTAR and APIDRA SoloSTAR are the result of more than four years of intensive development and testing. We have designed this pen with input from people with diabetes, from nurses and from doctors, resulting in a delivery system that we trust will meet the real needs of users,' said Gilles Lhernould, senior vice president industrial affairs, sanofi-aventis.

SoloSTAR will be available for use with LANTUS, the only once-daily 24-hour basal insulin analogue, and the rapid acting insulin analogue APIDRA, which offers a faster onset of action and a shorter duration of action than regular human insulin.