“Friend of Cleantech Commons”, PKA SoftTouch, launches FrontFundr campaign: invites investment

PKA is now ready to commence clinical trials and licence its unique, proprietary device, replacing traditional syringe delivery. Learn more about the PKA innovation here!

PKA’s award-winning, patented technology has high-value applications in multiple medical areas including both human and animal markets.

Their micro-needle technology addresses the global need for humans and animals to administer lifesaving drugs in a painless, safe, inexpensive and simple manner and will bring vaccinations and medications, like insulin, pre-dosed to people and animals suffering from chronic conditions like diabetes.

• High value medical and consumer applications
• Proprietory technology with global patents
• Nothing comparable on the market
• The animal health drug market in Canada alone is on track to reach $1.3 billion by 2024
• Highly experienced team to oversee rapid market acceptance.

 

THE PROBLEM

Syringe needles inject deep into muscular tissues

Needles on outdated syringes go over 8 millimetres deep into the fatty and muscular subcutaneous tissues and we feel pain because that’s where our nerve endings are. Conventional methods of injecting drugs provide a less direct dispersal of the drug.

 

The PKA Micro-Needle is a pain-free shallow injector

The PKA SoftTouch Micro-Needle is the ony patented device that injects the drug directly beneath the skin layer. The tiny needle enters the skin only by 1.5 millimetres, not deep enough to hit the nerve junctions and cause pain.

 

Shallow drug delivery improves medication uptake

The shallow injection into the skin allows the drug to enter into the bloodstream through interstitial fluid. This fluid circulates through the body and disperses the medication rapidly, faster than any traditional needle injection. By targeting the epidermal layer of the skin, PKA has proven that a shallow delivery process enhances the uptake, bioavailability and efficacy of drugs.

Interested? Take a look at the PKA SoftTouch campaign here!

A GLOBAL NEED

The PKA SoftTouch Micro-Needle addresses the increasing global need for humans and animals to administer lifesaving drugs in a painless, safe, inexpensive and simple manner. About the size of your thumb, their device will bring vaccinations and medications, preloaded and premeasured, to people and animals suffering from viruses and chronic conditions like diabetes.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Syringe injections are painful for both humans and animals. There are several other different styles of technologies for administering inoculations including pens, medication pumps, patches and needle-free devices. PKA has designed a device to address all of the concerns and limitations that hinder other modalities for complete injectable drug delivery. Of the 33 technologies currently available, the PKA SoftTouch Micro-Needle is the only effective device:

✔ FOR HUMANS & ANIMALS OF ALL AGES

An injection is an unpleasant experience. Something we’ve all encountered at some point in our lives and for some, it’s a regular, even daily, event. Pain-free injections have the potential to enhance millions of lives. Vaccinating babies won’t be a terrorizing experience for both parent and child. Seniors can use the device with ease and comfort. A visit to the doctor won’t be postponed or avoided for fear of needles. Animals feel pain too! Our Micro-Needle will help overcome many of the difficulties in administering a painful injection to small and large animals.

✔ EASY-TO-USE & ALMOST ANYWHERE ON YOUR BODY

Designed for use with one hand, simply place your thumb on top of the device onto the body where there’s skin and gently press the plunger to release the medication. Patients can easily be trained to use the device.

✔ DOESN’T LOOK LIKE A NEEDLE OR REQUIRE A SHARPS DISPOSAL

Unlike a syringe, this device doesn’t look or feel like a needle, allowing users to administer medication anywhere, anytime. The needle is hidden inside the device both before and after the injection which increases patient acceptance and helps eliminate needle-phobia (which affects approximately 27% of the population.)

The retracting needle means the device can be discarded into any wastebasket. Users can inject in public, quickly and easily, without needing a sharps disposal. Dispensing costs will be reduced and needle-stick injuries avoided.

✔ PRE-FILLED, COLOUR-CODED, STAND-ALONE DEVICE

With a syringe, the drug must be drawn from a vial which is inconvenient and can result in miscalculated doses. This device is the only one that combines the applicator and drug in one pre-measured dose; reducing errors and improving patient and healthcare professional safety. Different dosages will be indicated by coloured caps and no longer will users fuss with a vial and syringe.

✔ DISCREET & LIGHTWEIGHT

Designed to be inconspicuous with a hidden needle, it’s not obvious a patient is injecting with a needle. There’s no need to worry about attracting attention and having to find a private space to self-administer medication and it easily slips into a pocket or purse before and after use.

✔ WIDE RANGE OF DRUG COMPATIBILITY

The device is a platform technology, adaptable to use with a wide range of injectable drugs, medical treatments and vaccines due to its unique design and drug encapsulation technology.

✔ COST-SAVINGS

This technology will be one of the lowest cost devices on the market. Comprised of a top cap with a plunger, inner chamber, bottom chamber, springs, a drug bubble and a needle of pharmaceutical-grade stainless steel, its simplicity and few moving parts means it costs equal to that of a syringe with a vial of the drug.

Being a stand-alone, prefilled, easily-disposable device, it is projected to save significant costs associated with administering medication by injection in hospitals and clinics.

WHO WILL BENEFIT

Small and inexpensive, the microneedle will address the increasing need to administer drugs in a safe and efficient manner. The micro-needle will be used by pet owners, animal health professionals, healthcare workers and with a trend towards home self-care, patients who self-administer without assistance.

The device also provides a further opportunity for the rapid, safe and efficient delivery of vaccines to populations in premeasured mass quantities, including to areas of the world currently under-served by the medical community.

Positioned to replace the traditional syringe delivery of drugs, PKA aims to enhance the quality of life for millions of people and animals across the globe.

Potential markets are diabetes, tuberculosis-screening, heparin, pediatrics, obesity drugs and pain medications. The device also has high potential use in vaccination markets internationally to control the spread of viruses, Malaria, the Ebola virus, Diptheria, Cholera, Typhoid and other life-threatening diseases.

ONE STEP AWAY FROM COMMERCIALIZATION

A break-through in the world of health care delivery, and protected by patents in 22 countries, the micro-needles’ arrival in the healthcare delivery market could significantly improve the delivery of life-giving drugs. The Generation VI micro-needle, the final and perfected device, was finalized in 2018. It has passed all testing with 100% reliability.

The next step for PKA is to complete clinical trials, which shall be conducted at the University of Guelph, Ontario, and Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket, Ontario.

Interested? Take a look at their full campaign here, complete with financials and projections.