Novo Nordisk launches next generation prefilled insulin pen

Novo Nordisk has launched a next generation of the FlexPen insulin injection device, incorporating new features providing improved safety, convenience and ease of use.

The next generation of FlexPen requires 30% less force when injecting, provides superior dose accuracy and has coloured cartridges, labels and packaging designed to aid insulin type identification for patients. An innovative, simple twist mechanism is used to attach and detach a new generation of needles, which have a patented state-of-the-art attachment interface.

"This next generation of FlexPen makes the injection process more comfortable for patients," said Professor Andreas Pfuetzner, of the Institute for Clinical Research and Development in Mainz, Germany. "It introduces key features that will go a long way towards improving their compliance with prescribed treatment."

Testing among patients showed that 95% said they would use it in preference the current version of FlexPen: 89% found it more convenient to use, 98% said it took less effort to inject and 83% felt it was safer to operate than the current version of FlexPen.

The next generation of FlexPen will be available globally from late 2008.