EpiPendant

1
Epi-Pendant

• 2005 FRC Technology Transfer Conference
• Orlando, Florida

Epinephrine Auto-Injector
Lee Ann Asch
2
Lee Ann Asch

• Junior at Florida Atlantic University
• Majoring in Biological Science
• Plan to be a research physician
• Invented Epi-Pendant because
• Personally use 50 EpiPens annually.
• Frustrated with the current EpiPens design.

3
Anaphylaxis?

• Severe life-threatening allergic reaction
• Occurs rapidly
• Progresses dramatically
• True medical emergency
• Requires immediate epinephrine injection
  intervention

4
Symptoms of Anaphylaxis

• Hives
• Swelling (Angioedema)
• Throat
• Lips
• Tongue
• Eyes
• Difficulty breathing
• Swallowing
• Wheezing

5
Medication/ Drug Allergy27 Million Cases

• Prescription and over-the-counter medications
• Most Common
• Penicillin
• Sulfa
• NSAIDS
• Contrast media
• Betadine

6
Latex / Natural Rubber16 Million Cases

• Medical Gloves
• Balloons
• Band-aids
• Car tires
• Sole of shoes
• Rubber bands
• Pen grips

7
Insects Bites13 Million Cases

• Venom of stinging insects such as
• Yellow jackets
• Bumble bees
• Honey bees
• Wasps
• Fire ants

8
Foods7 Million Cases

• Most Common Foods
• Nuts/ Tree Nuts
• Shellfish/ fish
• Soy products
• Eggs
• Fruit
• Wheat
• Milk
• Food additives ( MSG)
• Sulfites ( red wine )

9
Asthma

• Asthmatics are at high risk for anaphylaxis
• Asthma related deaths have increased 120 from
  1979-1996 (2,598 to 5,667)
• Hospitalizations for asthma have increased 256
  from 1979-1996 to 474,100 people annually.
• Epinephrine is often prescribed for asthma
• Epinephrine is an effective bronchodilator
• Epinephrine is used in severe asthma attacks

10
Epinephrine

• Is the hallmark drug for anaphylaxis
• Epinephrine is also known as Adrenalin
• Epinephrine is often referred to as Epi
• Epinephrine is the only drug that can reverse
  anaphylaxis

11
Treating Anaphylaxis Using Epinephrine

• Why Epinephrine works?
• Binds to both the alpha and beta receptors
• Constricts blood vessels
• Increasing blood pressure
• Increase heart rate
• Epinephrine acts as a bronchodilator

12
Treating Anaphylaxis (continued)Using
Epinephrine

• Epinephrine must be available at all times.
• Immediate treatment with epinephrine is
  imperative.
• Failure or delay of epinephrine is associated
  with fatalities.
• There are no contraindications of epinephrine in
  anaphylaxis.

13
The Market

• Potential users
• Approximately 50,000,000 allergy sufferers in
  United States
• All epinephrine prescribed patients
• School nurses
• Medical professionals
• Severe asthmatics who do not respond to
  medication
• EpiPen is estimated to be a 300M market.
• EpiPen manufactured by Meridian Dey
  Corporation, a subsidiary of King
  Pharmaceuticals.

14
Competition

• EpiPen controls 90 of the epinephrine market.
• Ana-Kit controls 5 but is rarely prescribed.
• The other 5 is used by hospitals and Fire Rescue
  to deliver epinephrine intravenously.

15
EpiPen Price Range Survey 30 EpiPens (11000)

• Lowest Price EpiPen 14.00
• Highest Price EpiPen 130.75
• Average Price EpiPen 69.00

16
Epinephrine Ampule Price Range Survey of 30 Epi
Ampules(11000)

• Lowest Price 0.47
• Highest Price13.00
• Average Price 2.83

17
Epinephrine Excuses Reasons for NOT carrying
EpiPen

• Cumbersome no place to put them
• Carrying cases
• expensive and unattractive
• bigger and bulkier then the EpiPen itself

18
Evolving Technology 1973-2005

• 1973

2005

• Martin Cooper, invented the first cell phone.
• Weighing  30-ounces

• Sewon makes a tiny cell phone
• So small, it can be hidden in the palm of your
  hand

19
EpiPen

• EpiPen 1970s

• EpiPen 2005

EpiPen
No Change in Size!!!
20
Introducing

• Epi-Pendant
• Epinephrine Auto-Injector
• (11000)

21
Epi-Pendant Technology

• Medical auto-injector for anaphylaxis
• Delivers a single dose of IM Epinephrine
• Sleek compact design and cylindrical shape
• Approximately the size of a lipstick container
• Contains multiple safety protection devices

22
Current EpiPen Downfalls

• Large bulky size measuring 6 inches
• Difficult to distinguish the needle tip when the
  gray cap is unlocked before injection
• External gray cap lock can fall out
  unexpectedly
• Exposed needle post injection
• Thin plastic amber tube to protect Epinepherine
  from exposure to light
• Highly visible size is difficult to conceal

23
Epi-PendantEpinephrine Auto-Injector
EpiPen
Epi-Pendant
EpiPen
Epi-Pendant
24
Revolutionary Technology

• Epi-Pendant
• Inner innovative activating mechanism
• User can visualize and distinguish the needle tip
  from the back
• Multiple safety mechanisms
• Eliminates the problems of the current EpiPen

25
Epi-Pendant Advantages

• Compact size
• Easy to useonly two steps
• Internal safety lock mechanism
• Double light protected viewing window
• Safety needle guard cap
• Built in portability options for carrying

26
Epi-Pendant Advantages (continued)

• Innovative activation mechanism forces the user
  to distinguish the tip from the back to avoid
  dangerous discharge into finger.
• Internal lock eliminates spontaneous discharge
  while the auto injector is not in use.
• Safety guard cap places over the needle tip after
  injection.

27
Epi-Pendant Solution

• Avoids dangerous discharge into finger
• Eliminates accidental discharge while not in use
• Prevents accidental needle sticks
• Provides versatile portability options
• Includes an Internal lock mechanism
• Contains a safety guard cap cover
• Eliminating the need for a purse or backpack.

28
Epi-Pendant Appeal

• Compact stylish design
• Attachment device
• Can be stored within reach at any given moment.
• Perfect solution for people on the go
• Younger/teen generation at high risk for fatal
  anaphylaxis more likely to carry
• Provides peace of mind

29
Target Industries

• Pharmaceutical
• Biomedical
• Medical device drug delivery systems
• The Military

30
Epi-Pendant Commercial Impact

• Increase in number of individuals prescribed
  epinephrine by their physicians who will carry
  the product
• Increase in the number of people inclined to
  carry epinephrine at all times
• Increase in sales of product
• Decrease in mortality rates

31
Epi-Pendant Commercial Impact

• What products can be made with this technology?
• A device for delivering a single dose of IM
  epinephrine
• Other IM drugs such as Diazepam and Atropine
• Other IM medications to be used by patients
  regardless of medical training in emergency
  situations before help can arrive.

32
Epi-PendantKeychain with Latch Hook
33
Technology Status

• First Prototype built
• Provisional Patent Application filed
• University actively seeking commercial partner
• Working Prototype and testing needs to be done
• 1 year
• 250,000

34
Epi-Pendant
For Further Information Today Lee Ann
Asch Jeanie McGuire or Steve Nappi at the FAU
booth After the conference Steve
Nappi 561-297-1165 or snappi_at_fau.edu
Office of Technology Transfer