The Rise of Large-Volume Injectors in a Patient-Centric Era
How large-volume auto-injectors and wearable on-body delivery systems are redefining biologic drug administration — and what it means for the elastomeric components that make them work.
About this White Paper
The pharmaceutical industry's shift toward patient-centric care is accelerating the adoption of large-volume injectors — devices capable of delivering 5 to 20 mL of high-dose or high-viscosity biologics subcutaneously, replacing hours-long intravenous infusions with minutes-long self-injections at home. This 2025 report by Datwyler traces the evolution of the large-volume injectable landscape, from standard 1 mL auto-injectors through today's 5 mL handheld devices and wearable on-body delivery systems (OBDS) for volumes up to 20 mL. It examines the formulation science enabling this shift — including Halozyme's ENHANZE hyaluronidase platform and Elektrofi's Hypercon concentrated microparticle suspension technology — alongside drug container innovation in cyclic olefin polymers (COP/COC) and ultra-thin-wall needle design.
The report provides a pipeline analysis showing that 15% of all biopharmaceuticals in development could qualify as large-volume SC candidates, predominantly monoclonal antibodies targeting oncology, autoimmune, and cardiovascular indications. It then details the elastomeric component requirements specific to large-volume applications — including oily suspension compatibility, complete plunger coating to prevent rubber shedding, consistent glide force across 20 mL formats, and a simplified E&L profile when the same contact material is used for both plunger and combiseal. Datwyler's expanded NeoFlex™ plunger line, engineered for syringes and cartridges up to 20 mL with non-fluorosurfactant fluoropolymer coating, is presented as purpose-built for this growing market segment.
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