Mumbai : Eli Lilly and Company India (Lilly) and Boehringer Ingelheim India, announce the launch of HumaPen  SAVVIOTM, an innovative insulin delivery pen that meets the diabetics’ individual need. Engineered to resemble a small personal accessory rather than a medical device, this latest innovation was designed following feedback from people with diabetes who shared their aspiration to manage diabetes discreetly. HumaPen®SAVVIOTM, an invention by Lilly, offers an extended shelf life of up to 6 years after first use.

HumaPen SAVVIOTM, an original research product of Lilly will be co-promoted by the Lilly-Boehringer Ingelheim alliance in India.

Insulin therapy is an important part of diabetes management. In fact, early introduction of insulin can lower diabetes-related complications but patients are often reluctant to begin insulin therapy despite evidence of its efficacy. Some of the key barriers to insulin therapy initiation include fear of insulin injections, belief that insulin use is complicated, loss of independence and embarrassment to use the bulky insulin delivery devices. The new HumaPen SAVVIOTM is short in size, lightweight, dependable, durable, easy to use insulin pen that will improve the everyday lives of people with diabetes. To boost the personal confidence of diabetics, the device is designed similar to a fashionable, compact pen with durable design and will be available in a range of colours – red, graphite, green and silver. HumaPen® SAVVIOTM also makes dosing easy and insulin delivery discreet, which helps insulin users feel more at ease when using their medication.

Announcing the launch, Edgard Olaizola, Managing Director, Eli Lilly and Company India said   “The launch of HumaPen SAVVIOTM marks an important milestone for Lilly, reflecting our ongoing commitment to develop ‘people-led’ innovative solutions for diabetes. At Lilly, we recognize that people are unique and that their insulin delivery devices should reflect their lifestyle and personality. That’s why we developed HumaPen® SAVVIOTM to be lightweight, portable and available in a choice of colors. It will help to bring a greater sense of normalcy to using insulin.

We will continue to introduce innovative products to address the unmet needs of patients amidst the growing Indian diabetes epidemic.”

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Sharad Tyagi, Managing Director, Boehringer Ingelheim India said, “After the successful launch of Trajenta™ by the Lilly-Boehringer Ingelheim Alliance, this is another revolutionary product for the huge diabetes market in India. HumaPen® Savvio™ is in line with alliance’s ongoing commitment to provide innovative solutions for diabetes treatment. We are constantly working towards pioneering interventions by leveraging scientific know-how and commercial capabilities of both companies and expanding our product portfolio for diabetes in India.”

As per a patient perception study conducted in July 2013*, Lilly found that the most valued features of an insulin delivery device are ease of operation, convenience of use, accurate dosing, portability and easy dialing. The study group perceived HumaPen SAVVIOTM as better than other delivery devices available in market on most parameters including, ease of use, insufficient remaining dosage feature, stylish, sleek and discreet design being the differentiator.

Diabetes continues to be a serious health issue in India; current estimates indicate that    63 millions** adults in India suffer from diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic, debilitating and costly disease which poses severe risks for families; there is an urgent need to pursue multilateral efforts to create awareness on prevention, diagnosis and its effective management and treatment. With a focus on reducing complications related to the disease it is necessary to address common barriers to insulin therapy initiation.

HumaPen SAVVIOTM is supported by Lilly’s Diabetes Educators Service. Spread across the country, Diabetes Educators provide education/counselling on diabetes, nutrition, self-management, lifestyle management, hypoglycemia and appropriate use of injectable devices under the guidance of treating physicians.

HumaPen SAVVIOTM will be available in India across 6 metros (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore) for use with 3 mL insulin cartridges Humalog, Humalog Mix25 and Humalog® Mix50 on doctor’s prescription.

Source : Sachin Murdeshwar