Bioject Medical Technologies Inc. Receives Small Business Innovation Research Contract from the CDC

BEDMINSTER, N.J. -- Bioject Medical Technologies Inc., a leading developer of needle-free drug delivery systems, announced today that it has received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to build and test a prototype of a needle-free single-dose injection delivery system featuring auto-disabling  disposable-cartridges and a jet injector device.

Designed to be sturdy and economical for use in developing country immunization programs, the jet injector system will also be suitable for doctors offices in developed countries.  The system consists of a durable, manually-powered, mechanical device, requiring no electricity, batteries, or other external supply of power.  Its sterile cartridge, once filled and used for a single injection, cannot be refilled and is disposed safely without exposing health workers to needlestick sharps injuries.

A similar proof-of-concept jet injector was evaluated by focus groups of health care workers in Africa, whose feedback contributed to the design of the new device.  For the purposes of this SBIR contract, Bioject plans to build and test prototypes for safely and effectively delivering subcutaneous, intramuscular and intradermal injections of vaccines and potentially other liquid pharmaceuticals.

We are pleased to have received a contract from the CDC for the development of an immunization device with an auto-disabling needle free cartridge, said Jim OShea, chairman, president, and CEO of Bioject. The initial prototypes to be developed under this contract will be used to conduct in vitro and in vivo studies that will demonstrate that our new needle-free technology with non-reusable cartridges can meet safely the challenges of global immunization.

Bioject Medical Technologies Inc., based in Bedminster, N.J., with operations in Portland, Ore., is an innovative developer and manufacturer of needle-free drug delivery systems. Needle-free injection works by forcing medication at high speed through a tiny orifice held against the skin. This creates a fine stream of high-pressure fluid that penetrates the skin and deposits vaccine in the tissue beneath. Bioject is focused on developing mutually beneficial agreements with leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and veterinary companies.

Source: Bioject Medical Technologies Inc.