A prestudy of a new rapid and pain-free premedication for children prior to surgey
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Emplicure AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 500 000 |
| Project duration | November 2014 - July 2015 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The main aim for this project was to evaluate the commercial potential for a new product for rapid and pain-free premedication for children prior to surgery. The objective with this pre-study was therefore to perform a market study to be able to estimate the market value and to find out if there is a medical need for new products for this indication. Physicians in Sweden and USA today using this type of medicines were therefore interviewed. A patent application was filed in order to protect unique product performances.
Results and expected effects
The results from the market study show that pediatric sedative premedication ahead of surgery or other painful procedures are considered an important medical need for physicians and pharmacists alike. The most important performance required by a premedication is that it works fast and wears off to allow timely discharge. The initial response to the product concept is overwhelmingly positive; the idea of the patch is universally liked. It would avoid issues with current standard of care i.e. the oral administration of midazolam. It would be predictable and very patient-friendly.
Approach and implementation
Physicians at three different Swedish hospitals were interviewed in order to investigate the medical need for the product. Questions were asked to find out the type of medicines used today and if they experience that there is room for improvements. Since USA will be one of the major markets also American doctors were included. Since product price is important for the market value and market penetration also budget holders were interviewed. In total 17 doctors and 6 budget holders were interviewed.