Sticking by Weston

Problems with delivering consistent doses will delay the launch of Weston Medical plc's Intraject pre-filled needleless drug delivery system by nine to 18 months, putting the earliest launch of an Intraject product to mid-2005. However, the company says this doesn't put its eight partnerships at risk, because the collaborators can use alternative delivery systems in the interim or the drug development programs are early stage and will not be affected by the delay.

The modifications are being made to ensure that the device delivers consistent injection performance. "We need to make the modifications, validate these and then run another internal trial before our partners can use the device with their drugs," said Khawar Mann, director of business development at Weston (LSE:WMG, Cambridge, U.K.)...