Kaléo’s Auvi-Q auto-injector to return to U.S. in 2017

RICHMOND, Va.  — Kaléo announced Wednesday that it will be reintroducing its Auvi-Q (epinephrine injection) auto-injector in the United States during the first half of 2017. This would bring another option to the epinephrine auto-injector space at a time when access and affordability in the space have seen focus from patients and legislators. 

 

“Today’s news represents an important milestone for the life-threatening allergy community, which has suffered from a lack of epinephrine auto-injector options for far too long,” kaléo VP product development and industrialization Evan Edwards said. “As the inventors of Auvi-Q, my brother and I have dedicated our lives to researching and developing an innovative epinephrine auto-injector that would do for severe allergy sufferers what the AEDs did for cardiac arrest in the community; namely a product that could assist and guide even an untrained user through a life-threatening emergency.”

 

Auvi-Q includes a voice-prompt system to guide a user through the delivery process and a needle that automatically retracts after being administered. Kaléo regained the rights to Auvi-Q and invested in new technology and systems to ensure consistent and accurate delivery, the company said. 

 

 “As a patient and parent of children with life-threatening allergies, I know how the moment of an allergic emergency can unfold — with panic and fear — and that is why I believe and trust in Auvi-Q, not only for myself, but also for my children and other families who might have to depend on it. Driven by this reality, kaléo strives for flawless manufacturing to ensure each Auvi-Q is built to exceptional quality standards,” kaléo VP product strategy Dr. Eric Edwards said. 

 

Kaléo said that In light of access and affordability challenges, it was working with stakeholders — including wholesalers, payers, pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers — to ensure that patients will have affordable access to Auvi-Q.

 

“As we prepare to make AUVI-Q available once again in the United States, our priority is to return AUVI-Q to the market as an epinephrine auto-injector alternative that all patients can afford,” kaléo president and CEO Spencer Williamson said.