Needle Free Injection System Market Trends

Needle-Free Injection System Market Overview

The needle-free injection system market size is projected to be worth USD 422.20 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 15.5% during the forecast period (2022 - 2030)

A needle-free injection system is a method of administering medication through the skin using the Lorentz force, shock waves, pressure, or electrophoresis force. Needle-free injection systems can be used repeatedly without running the risk of spreading infections, they are viewed as being superior to hypodermic needles. These injections help eliminate needlestick injuries and pain during drug delivery. The market is driven by factors such as the increasing incidence of communicable diseases due to needlestick injuries, the rise in demand for self-injection devices, and the increase in the population suffering from diabetes. However, a higher cost of development as compared to conventional injection systems, lack of awareness about needle-free injection systems, and limitations regarding intravenous drug administration could hamper the growth of the needle-free injection system market.

COVID-19 Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic positively affected the needle-free injection system market because it has brought attention to the need for self-injectable devices and mass vaccinations since the pandemic outbreak began in December 2019. Most of the major needle-free injection system market players have made R&D investments and entered into partnerships and agreements with other business players and governmental organizations to create a needle-free injection system for the disease as the number of cases has increased across regions. For instance, The University of Cambridge selected the needleless vaccine injector from PharmaJet Inc. (US) for the phase-1 trial of the COVID-19 vaccine candidate from DIOSynVax. The trial's objective was to evaluate the vaccine's efficacy when administered without using skin-piercing needles.

Such impacts have increased the demand for needle-free injection systems to overcome the disruptions caused by the pandemic. Hence, the pandemic positively impacted by creating multiple growth opportunities for the needle-free injection system market.

Needle-Free Injection System Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

• Increasing incidence of communicable diseases due to needlestick injuries
  
  
  
  • Injections are one of the most common devices used for the administration of drugs, due to which healthcare workers are at a high risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens due to needlestick injuries, which can occur accidentally. For instance, according to the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) every year, about 385,000 healthcare professionals stick themselves with needles by mistake.
  
  
  • Additionally, according to WHO data, needlestick injuries are responsible for 4.4% of HIV/AIDS cases and 37.6% of all hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis C cases globally. Therefore, the pace of needle-free injection system adoption is being driven by communicable diseases brought on by needlestick injuries.
  
  
  
  


• Rise in demand for self-injection devices


• Increase in the population suffering from diabetes

Market Restraints

• Higher cost of development as compared to conventional injection systems
  
  
  
  • The industry's growth may be slowed by the high development costs associated with needle-free injection systems. These costs are due to the high cost of unit production, as well as higher labor and infrastructure expenses. High development costs also result from the high cost of technologies.
  
  
  • Furthermore, conventional needles and sterilized needles are also the least expensive options. Prices for 1,000 injections range from USD 5 to 15, the affordability of needle-free injection devices when compared to conventional needle injections becomes a serious issue. Therefore, this higher cost of development compared to the conventional injection system method may negatively impact market growth.
  
  
  
  


• Limitations regarding intravenous drug administration


• Lack of awareness about Needle-Free Injection Systems

Market Opportunities

• Rising demand for biosimilars and vaccination processes
  
  
  
  • Biosimilars are being used more frequently in the treatment of acute and chronic diseases, including cancer, diabetes, hepatitis, anemia, and others. Additionally, the development of innovative delivery strategies for biosimilars presents a significant opportunity for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. In this regard, the needle-free technology offers a user-friendly and secure method for administering biosimilars without the need for a conventional injection apparatus or trained personnel.
  
  
  
  

• Furthermore, many manufacturers of needle-free devices are concentrating on strategic acquisitions, collaborations, and the launch of efficient and secure drug delivery devices using needle-free injection technology to take advantage of the growth potential in the vaccines market. For instance, in August 2021, PharmaJet(US) partnered with Zydus Cadila and announced EUA approval for the world’s first plasmid DNA COVID-19 vaccine delivery via needle-free injection. Therefore, the growing demand for biosimilars and immunization procedures presents a huge potential opportunity for the needle-free injection systems industry.

Value Chain Analysis

The value chain analysis of the market comprises four major components starting with the R&D and designing, followed by manufacturing the needle-free injectors devices, distribution & sales, and ending with post-sales services. R&D and designing start with conceptualizing, followed by design, then development, and lastly, testing. Manufacturing consists of 45-50% of the value chain. The sourcing of raw materials is the initial phase in the manufacturing of the products. Then comes distribution and sales, which is essential for any industry. Lastly comes post-sales services, where customer feedback is taken into consideration to improve upon their existing product portfolio.

Needle-Free Injection System Market Segment Overview

Needle Free Injection System Product Insights

• Prefilled needle-free injectors

Prefilled needle-free injectors are used to package injectable drugs and vaccines. Prefilled syringes may contain drugs such as antithrombotic agents, vaccines, blood stimulants, interferons, and rheumatoid arthritis medications. Due to the rapid adoption of prefilled needle-free injections, these injections have emerged as the fastest-growing choice for unit-dose drugs.

• Fillable needle-free injectors

Injectors with refillable needles are a common and environmentally friendly alternative to syringes. Compared to prefilled injectors, fillable needleless injectors have a few advantages, such as better opportunities for extractable and leaching (E&L), which lowers the likelihood of medication interactions. These E&L have the potential to interfere with medication molecules and reduce a drug's efficacy. 

The fillable needle-free injectors segment held the largest market share in 2021. The large share of this segment can be attributed to the increasing application of needle-free injections in vaccination, insulin, and other drug delivery.

Needle Free Injection System Type Insights

• Liquid-based needle-free injectors

Liquid-based needle-free jet injections employ a high-speed jet to puncture the skin and deliver drugs without the use of a needle. They have been used to deliver a number of macromolecules including vaccines and insulin, as well as small molecules, such as anesthetics and antibiotics. Since it reduces the chances of needle stick injuries and other complications, including those arising due to multiple uses of a single needle.

The liquid-based injectors segment held the largest market share in 2021. This is due to the ability of a liquid jet, which is stronger enough to penetrate the skin and the underlying fat layer without harming the skin or the integrity of the drug molecule.

• Powder-based needle-free injectors

Powder jet injectors deliver vaccines or drugs in dry powdered form into superficial layers of skin. The terms biolistic injectors and gene guns have also been commonly used for these injectors, with the latter term used exclusively for DNA delivery.

• Projectile/depot-based needle-free injectors

Projectile- or depot-based needle-free injectors are systems for delivering a drug into muscles. They develop a drug reserve in the muscles that are gradually released over a predetermined period. It is significantly more sophisticated than previous iterations of the needle free injection technology (NFITs) because the drug is processed into a long, thin depot with sufficient mechanical strength to transmit a driving force to a pointed tip that may be made of the drug itself or an inert substance.

Needle Free Injection System Technology Insights

• Jet-based needle-free injectors

Jet injectors are needle-free devices that drive liquid medication through a nozzle orifice, creating a narrow stream under high pressure that penetrates the skin to deliver a drug or vaccine into intradermal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular tissues. These jet-based injectors have the potential to reduce the frequency of needlestick injuries to healthcare providers and to overcome the improper reuse and other drawbacks of needles and syringes in economically developing countries.

The jet-based needle-free injectors segment held the largest market share in 2021 attributed to benefits associated with this technology, including rapid drug administration, improved dosage accuracy, better diffusion into the tissue, and a faster response rate.

• Spring-based needle-free injectors

The spring-based method is a particularly effective method of powering needle-free injection technology (NFIT) devices. The spring mechanism used by the spring-loaded jet injector is drawn back. A "jet stream" of medication or a vaccination travels through the dermal layers of the skin when a trigger is pressed, releasing the spring. It can be injected intramuscularly, transdermally, or subcutaneously.

• Microarrayray patch injectors

Microarray patches, also known as microneedle patches, are made up of microscopic projections that are applied to the body like a small bandage, penetrating the skin's outermost layer painlessly and delivering a drug or vaccine to the top layers of the skin. These microneedles may improve thermostability, usability, and cost-effectiveness.

• Others

Other types of technology include vibration-based needle-free injectors and laser-powered needle-free Injectors. Vibration-based technologies are used for pediatric injections, insulin delivery, pain management, and vaccine administration. Additionally, the laser-driven microjet injector can be used to precisely control the dose and depth of drug penetration beneath the skin.

Needle Free Injection System Site of Delivery Insights

• Intra-dermalmal injectors

The intradermal injection causes a small, barely noticeable systemic influence. It can be used for local anesthetics and allergy testing in addition to being regularly used for tuberculin skin testing. An intradermal injection is given by inserting a 25-gauge or smaller needle at a 10° angle immediately beneath the epidermis.

• Intramuscular injectors

An intramuscular injection is a technique used to deliver a medication deep into the muscles. This allows the medication to be absorbed into the bloodstream quickly.  These injections are used when other types of delivery methods are not recommended such as oral, intravenous, and subcutaneous.

• Subcutaneous injectors

Subcutaneous injections can be used for a variety of purposes, such as administering vaccines, medications like heparin and insulin, and local anesthetic for medical procedures and intravenous cannulation.

The subcutaneous injectors segment held the largest market share in 2021. This is due to its greater effectiveness as the drug moves into the capillaries when it is injected and from there, it is carried to the bloodstream.

Needle Free Injection System Usability Inisghts

• Disposable needle-free injectors

Disposable needles are frequently used to take blood samples, administer medications, and provide vaccines. They can also be used in place of old needles to stop the transmission of disease. These injections, rather than the conventional Mantoux needle method, are used for the BCG vaccination and tuberculosis skin testing, which lessens patient discomfort.

• Reusable needle-free injectors

Reusable needle-free injectors have smaller storage and waste footprints, which reduce the environmental impact of production and patient waste. Reusable needle-free injectors increase safety and usefulness, take up less storage space, produce less waste, and are significantly less expensive than single-use injectors.

The reusable needle-free injectors segment held the largest market share in 2021. This is due to as they are cost-effective in the long run, with only the vial requiring the regular purchase and increasing adoption of reusable needle-free injections.

Needle Free Injection System Application Insight

• Vaccine Delivery

A new generation of needle-free vaccination delivery technologies (jet injectors) has been developed to lower the risks of needle stick injuries to medical professionals and to prevent improperly recycling syringes and needles.

The vaccine delivery segment held the largest market share in 2021 owing to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and infectious diseases worldwide and the rising demand for patient-centric care.

• Insulin delivery

Patients with type 2 diabetes may find it challenging to accept insulin therapy. A needle-free insulin injector has been developed for patients who are afraid of injections or are reluctant to start insulin therapy, even when it is necessary. The objective of this experiment was to assess the efficiency of insulin delivery in type 2 diabetics using a needle-free insulin injector (NFII) with a conventional insulin pen.

• Pain management

Pain management is the process of treating pain in all of its manifestations, from acute and mild to chronic and complex. Additionally, the pain management segment had a significant position due to the rise in cases of ailments like migraines, arthritis, myofascial pain syndrome, chronic pain, and pain disorders.

• Others

Oncology and dermatology are some further application categories. patients are treated with needle-free injectors in oncology, including radiation oncology, medical oncology, and surgical oncology. Additionally, dermatology patients are also treated using needle-free injectors for conditions including psoriasis and skin cancer.

Needle Free Injection System End User Insighst

• Hospitals and Clinics

Based on end-use, the hospitals and clinics segment accounted for the largest share in 2021. This is due to technological advancement and an increase in demand for vaccinations. For instance, In October 2021, Bengaluru hospitals were used as ZyCoV-D testing locations. For people 12 years of age and older, the needle-free COVID-19 immunisation ZyCoV-D is indicated. In addition, the hospital industry has expanded significantly in recent years due to a rise at hospital admissions and the accessibility of cutting-edge medical treatments in private hospitals.

• Homecare Settings

Methods of medical care delivered to patients in their homes by trained staff or are self-administered are considered in homecare settings. Moreover, the use of needle free injections systems in the management of chronic illnesses is becoming more and more significant. These devices allow patients to self-administer medication at home, eliminating the need for frequent doctor visits. For instance, needle-free injectors, such jet injectors, are easier to use, more beneficial, and enhance patient compliance in home care settings.

• Ambulatory Surgical Centers

Ambulatory surgery centers also referred to as outpatient surgical centers, are contemporary medical facilities that provide same-day surgical surgery and do not require hospital admissions. Ambulatory surgery centers are anticipated to improve as a result of rising healthcare spending, a shift to outpatient procedures, the availability of needle-free injections, and an increase in the usage of healthcare IT solutions to promote patient and clinician interaction.

• Others

Some of the numerous types of end customers include research facilities, pharmaceutical companies, and biotech companies. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors are undergoing a profound shift as their operational horizons expand. Moreover, in 2022, pharmaceutical companies will pay particular attention to remaining flexible and resilient in the face of disruption brought on by a wide variety of needle-free injectors and altering consumer preferences.

Needle-Free Injection System Market Regional Analysis

One of the key factors fueling the market's expansion is the rise in the number of people with diabetes globally. Additionally, each healthcare worker suffers an average of 4 needlestick injuries per year, according to the WHO. The needle-free injection system market based on the region has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World.  

North America:

North America's market accounted for the largest share in 2021. This is to the presence of highly developed healthcare infrastructure, high patient awareness levels, increasing cases of chronic illnesses, and high research and development in needle-free injection technology in the region. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), in 2020, 5.6 million healthcare personnel in the US were at risk of work-related exposure to blood-borne pathogens via needlestick or other sharps-related injuries.

Competitive Landscape

The industry players are adopting several business strategies to increase their market presence. They are significantly investing in R&D activities to expand their product portfolio, further driving the needle-free injection system market.  Some key players in the market are Medical International Technology (MIT) (US), and Pharma Jet (US), and Antares Pharma. (US). Medical International Technology, Inc. (MIT USA), a company based in Colorado, US that specializes in the development, manufacture, marketing, and distribution of needle-free injectors for use in both human and animal inoculations as well as mass inoculations. Another player is PharmaJet.(US), is a medical device company. The company manufactures needle-free drug and vaccine delivery systems. In March 2022, NuGen Medical Devices (Canada) made a partnership with Unifire Inc. (US) to market and distribute its needle-free injection device to US government agencies. 

List of companies covered in this report:

• Medical International Technology (MIT) (US)


• Antares Pharma (US)


• Endo International (US)


• Ferring B.V. (Switzerland)


• Bioject Medical Technologies (US)


• NuGen Medical Devices (Canada)


• Portal Instruments (US)


• Enesi Pharma Limited (UK)


• Crossject (France)

Recent Developments

• In July 2022, Health Canada approved the needle-free injection device InsuJet, made by NuGen Medical Devices (Canada), with permission to be used solely to administer insulin.


• In December 2021, PharmaJet (US) partnered with Nykode Therapeutics (formerly Vaccibody) (Norway) to begin a phase 1/2 clinical trial to address the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.


• In November 2019, the US Department of Defense (US) and Crossject (France) signed an agreement for the use of Zeneo Midazolam to treat status epilepticus (epileptic seizures lasting more than five minutes).


• In January 2019, Enesi Pharma Limited (UK) and GeoVax (US) formed a partnership to develop next-generation needle-free, thermostable vaccinations for a variety of infectious diseases.


• In September 2018, Ferring B.V. (Switzerland) launched ZOMA-Jet 10, a new needle-free delivery system for patients treated with ZOMACTON 10mg.

Report Overview

The study covers the existing short-term and long-term market effects. It helps decision-makers to draught short-term and long-term business plans by region. The report covers major regions in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The report analyzes market drivers, restraints, opportunities, challenges, Porter's five forces, the value chain, and the impact of COVID-19 on the market.

Study Objectives

• To provide a detailed analysis of the market structure and forecast for the next seven years of the various segments and sub-segments of the needle-free injection system market


• To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth


• To analyze the needle-free injection system market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, Porter's five force analysis, etc.


• To provide historical and forecast revenues of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World


• To provide country-level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective


• To provide country-level analysis of the market for segments by product, type, technology, site of delivery, usability, application, and end users.


• To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyze their core competencies, and draw a competitive market landscape


• To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers & acquisitions, new product developments, and R&D in the needle-free injection system market

Needle-Free Injection System Market Segmentation:

Needle-Free Injection System Product Outlook

• Prefilled needle-free injectors


• Fillable needle-free injectors

Needle-Free Injection System Type Outlook

• Liquid-based needle-free injectors


• Powder-based needle-free injectors


• Projectile/depot-based needle-free injectors

Needle-Free Injection System Technology Outlook

• Jet-based needle-free injectors


• Spring-based needle-free injectors


• Micro array patch injectors


• Others

Needle-Free Injection System Site of Delivery Outlook

• Intra-dermal injectors


• Intramuscular injectors


• Subcutaneous injectors

Needle-Free Injection System Usability Outlook

• Disposable needle-free injectors


• Reusable needle-free injectors

Needle-Free Injection System Application Outlook

• Vaccine Delivery


• Insulin delivery


• Pain management


• Others

Needle-Free Injection System End User Outlook

• Hospitals and Clinics


• Homecare Settings


• Ambulatory Surgical Centers


• Others

Needle-Free Injection System Region Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East & Africa
  
  
  • Latin America
  
  
  
  

• Government Research Institutes


• Research and Development (R&D) Companies


• Medical Devices Companies


• Academic Institutes and Universities


• Home Care Settings


• Research Laboratories


• Pharmaceutical And Biotechnology Companies