Ipsen has announced the launch of a new pre-filled syringe for its Somatuline Autogel (lanreotide).

The news means that the syringe is now available for use on the NHS for the treatment of adult patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NETs), symptoms associated with neuroendocrine (particularly carcinoid) tumours (NETs), and acromegaly.

The decision to release new treatment option results from five separate studies, involving patients and healthcare professionals, which have informed the redesign of the syringe.

The company says that the patient-centred research has enabled the development, testing and validation of the syringe, which is intended to ‘enable patients to have more control of their disease by supporting self or partner injection,’ and potentially requiring fewer hospital visits.

Wendy Martin, NET clinical nurse specialist at Kings College London and lead investigator said “From today we can genuinely discuss independence for patients living with these chronic, burdensome disease. Patients want and need treatment options that allow them as much freedom and flexibility as possible so that they can live fuller lives and spend, what is for them precious time with family and friends. I hope that today’s development can transform NET clinics across the UK and further enhance patient care.”

Over 4,000 people are diagnosed with a NET each year in the UK and although once considered rare, the incidence of NETs is on the rise.

Survival rates have improved over the last decade and so patients are living for longer with the disease. However, living with NETs has a considerable impact on patients’ personal and work lives and data suggest there is a need to improve the patient experience.