Key messages
- Novel administration devices, once considered supplementary in biologic-device combinations, may gain strategic importance as subcutaneous biologic injections become integral to multiple myeloma treatment.
- Wider adoption of On-Body Injectors can help overcome formulation and delivery challenges, unlocking the full value of biologics and other anti-cancer medicines.
This contract research report was commissioned and funded by Sanofi.
Biologics: Driving innovation in the treatment of multiple myeloma
Biological medicines (biologics) have transformed the treatment landscape of multiple myeloma and cancer as a whole. The notable shift from cytotoxic agents to targeted therapies has enabled subcutaneous (SC) administration as a practical alternative to intravenous (IV) infusion. There is also growing emphasis on improving patient experience, optimising healthcare workflows, and realising the full clinical and economic value of medicines—trends that favour more convenient and flexible delivery methods. This is particularly relevant in multiple myeloma where patients often undergo extended treatment courses and biologics provide substantial improvements in survival outcomes.
The treatment burden amidst therapeutic advances
Subcutaneous delivery offers advantages over IV infusion, including reduced treatment burden, greater time and location flexibility, and potential efficiency gains. However, current SC administration in cancer care is still predominantly performed manually via syringe injection. Physiological constraints of SC delivery and the complexity of biologics limit injection volumes, often requiring large-gauge needles and resource-intensive preparation processes. These factors add to the existing treatment burden for patients and workload for healthcare professionals (HCPs).
Research into SC formulations highlight not only pharmacological advances in biologics but also the persistent operational challenges of preparation, administration, and integration into clinical pathways.
The case for optimising drug delivery
Novel administration devices, most notably on-body injectors (OBIs), offer an emerging solution. These devices adhere to the patient’s skin to deliver pre-programmed doses subcutaneously over a set period, eliminating the need for manual injections. OBIs provide distinct advantages to the patient over conventional syringe administration. For example, OBIs accommodate high-volume formulations, enable automated, hands-free delivery, and are designed for ease of use through simple vial transfer and loading mechanisms. They also incorporate features that improve patient comfort and safety, such as smaller and concealed needles with retractable safety mechanisms. Together, these design elements can enhance patient experience, reduce needle-related anxiety, improve treatment adherence, and minimise disruptions to daily activities.
For HCPs, the use of OBIs provides significant benefits by simplifying preparation and administration, reducing care burden and time requirements, and lowering the risk of physical strain and occupational injuries. These improvements contribute to greater job satisfaction, reduced absenteeism, and enhanced clinical efficiency. At the health system level, OBIs offer potential to streamline workflows, expand treatment capacity, and support decentralised models of care—an especially valuable attribute in resource-constrained settings. Such operational efficiencies might contribute to both healthcare sustainability and cost-effectiveness in addition to those provided by SC syringes.
Outlook
With SC biologic formulations expected to grow, adopting OBIs in cancer care represents a strategic opportunity to build on existing benefits of SC drug delivery, and further advance efficiency, sustainability, and patient-centred service delivery across oncology.