As cardiometabolic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes and obesity, continue to rise globally, the healthcare industry faces unprecedented challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than one billion people are affected by obesity, an alarming figure that spurred the coining of the term “globesity.”
Obesity is not only a significant health issue by itself – it’s also a key contributor to other cardiometabolic conditions, such as metabolic syndrome, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes. Addressing these widespread conditions requires patient-centric innovation in treatment approaches and delivery systems.
SHL Medical, as a global pioneer in developing autoinjectors, continues to be among the leading contributors in this regard, committed to enabling patients’ independence. With the rising prevalence of obesity and related diseases, the demand for injectable therapies, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and PCSK9 inhibitors, has increased dramatically. These drugs, often prescribed for patients with Type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia, require safe, easy-to-use devices for self-administration. SHL Medical has responded by supplying market-proven autoinjectors that enable patients to manage their conditions effectively from the comfort of their own homes.
Since 2015, SHL Medical has supported the launch of six combination products for cardiometabolic diseases. These include incretin mimetics for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and obesity, and PCSK9 inhibitors for managing hyperlipidemia. In 2023 alone, SHL delivered 49.5 million devices to patients with cardiometabolic conditions, contributing to the treatment of over 1.6 million individuals globally. By providing reliable, user-friendly autoinjectors, SHL is improving patient outcomes and addressing a critical gap in the healthcare industry – delivering effective solutions for managing chronic diseases.
One of the critical factors behind SHL’s success in addressing unmet cardiometabolic needs is its Molly® platform. This modular platform has proven to be an effective solution for the development of autoinjectors for a wide range of cardiometabolic treatments. It has been particularly crucial in the creation of second-generation GLP-1 receptor agonists, which are now an essential component of treatment protocols for both Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
The Molly platform offers quick-to-clinic device development options, making it an ideal choice for pharmaceutical companies aiming to accelerate their clinical trials. The platform’s versatility in supporting lifecycle management has been demonstrated by projects requiring multiple dosing formats with shared design elements, such as PCSK9 autoinjectors. These attributes make the Molly platform a go-to solution for pharmaceutical companies navigating the complexities of cardiometabolic drug delivery.
At the core of SHL Medical’s innovation is a commitment to enhancing the patient experience. For patients managing cardiometabolic diseases, the ability to administer medication easily and safely at home is crucial. SHL’s research and development team has focused extensively on understanding the unique challenges faced by patients, particularly those with obesity.
Through rigorous human factors studies, SHL optimized the Molly platform to ensure ease of use across a broad spectrum of patient types and injection sites. Obesity presents unique challenges due to the softness of tissue around common injection sites like the abdomen and thigh. To address this challenge, SHL developed advanced in-silico and in-vitro models, moving beyond standard testing methodologies. By combining these simulations with real-world studies, SHL ensures that its autoinjectors are safe, effective, and easy to use for patients of all body types.
One of SHL Medical’s key strengths is its vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities, which provide a high degree of control over the entire value chain. This approach ensures supply stability and allows SHL to scale its production to meet the growing demand for cardiometabolic treatments.
In addition to its existing manufacturing sites in Taiwan, SHL is expanding its global footprint with new facilities in North Charleston in the United States, set to launch in 2025, and Zug in Switzerland, with a launch date set for 2026. These expansions will enable SHL to produce its Molly autoinjectors at the scale required for major product launches, further solidifying its role as a critical partner to pharmaceutical companies worldwide.
The Molly autoinjector has consistently demonstrated high satisfaction rates among users, thanks to its patient-friendly design and proven effectiveness. SHL’s deep understanding of how autoinjectors perform in various tissue types ensures that their devices are suitable for a wide range of users. This research-driven approach helps pharmaceutical companies meet the diverse needs of patients while ensuring that drugs are administered safely and efficiently.
