29/05/2026
In 2012, Genelife published a perspective on drug–device combination products.
The conclusion then: the benefits justify the complexity. The manufacturing model that made most sense: two distinct facilities, coordinated but separate.
Thirteen years later, we've revisited that article — and the verdict is the same. But almost everything around it has changed.
In 2012, the products were stents, inhalers, prefilled syringes. Today, they include wearable injectors, connected inhalers with real-time adherence tracking, and implantable delivery systems with remote monitoring.
In 2012, cybersecurity was not a consideration. Today, it is a lifecycle regulatory requirement for any digitally integrated device.
In 2012, human factors engineering was a best practice. Today, it is mandatory — and regulators expect structured usability studies that prove patients can use the product correctly in real-world conditions.
The complexity has grown significantly. So has the clinical impact and the commercial opportunity.
Our updated perspective — what's changed, what hasn't, and what it means for your program — is now on the blog.
Drug–Device Combination Products: Challenges and Evolution in Clinical Research