Lilly UK launches ergonomic insulin delivery system

Lilly UK has announced the launch of the new HumaPen SAVVIO insulin delivery device.

Engineered to resemble a small personal accessory rather than a medical device, the innovation was designed following feedback from diabetes sufferers, who shared their aspiration to manage diabetes discreetly. The HumaPen SAVVIO is a next-generation delivery device for use with the Humalog and Humulin brands of insulin.

Since every experience with diabetes is unique and personal, Lilly launched a landmark market research project in six countries to gain insight into the daily lives of people with the condition. The research team spent a day with patients in their own homes to gather real-life understanding of how they use their insulin devices and the challenges they face. Insulin users’ individual lifestyles were candidly discussed and observed and this research was used to design the new HumaPen SAVVIO to meet their needs and to help them feel more at ease when using their medication.

“I want my patients to feel confident about managing their condition and being able to get on with everyday living,” says Susan Stockley, lead diabetes specialist nurse at East Surrey Hospital. “People with diabetes handle their devices every day and to some the device reminds them that they are on important medication and that they are ‘different’. This new insulin pen blends in with their accessories and feels personalised, plus the size means they can be more discreet when administering.”

The device looks like a fashionable pen and features a compact, attractive yet durable design, and is available in several different colours - blue, graphite, green, silver, pink, and red. While being aesthetically pleasing and highly functional, it has also undergone rigorous testing on a variety of quality, accuracy of dosing and durability measures to ensure people are receiving their medication safely and appropriately..

“The process of developing HumaPen SAVVIO reflects our commitment to ‘people-led’ innovations as it required an understanding of people’s emotional responses to their medical treatment”, said Dr Arash Tahbaz, Lilly’s senior medical advisor. “Our research and the time spent with people using insulin therapy on a daily basis gave us meaningful insights, which have been transferred to HumaPen SAVVIO.”