Biotech device manufacturer improves needle safety
Unitract, the Australian biotech device company, has developed a single-use syringe, in which the needle retracts immediately after use, eliminating the danger of drug users sharing syringes, or health professionals receiving needle-stick injuries.
Unitract, the Australian biotech device company, has developed a single-use syringe, in which the needle retracts immediately after use, eliminating the danger of drug users sharing syringes, or health professionals receiving needle-stick injuries.
The Unitract syringe uses clever mechanics, invented by a Hunter Valley toolmaker; Unitract holds patents over all its technology and intends to patent its robot-controlled manufacturing process.
Ceo Alan Shortall said: 'Unlike many biotech companies, Unitract is on the verge of its own commercial production line, as a partner is building a factory in western Sydney, and Unitract will use the recent capital raising to buy equipment.' The syringes are produced at a highly competitive price, and global demand is said to be almost unlimited, with three injections administered for every person in the world every year and an estimated 1.3m deaths annually as a result of dangerous use of needles, according to WHO statistics.
Regulatory approvals from the US FDA and other bodies are still to be granted, but Shortall believes this is only a matter of time.