Grenoble, France – May 14, 2014 -- A team comprised of CEA-Leti, Debiotech SA, the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and Mecaplast SA is a finalist in the 2014 Medical Design Excellence Awards. They are nominated for a MEMS-based micro-needle that allows pain-free and precise injection of up to 0.5ml of vaccines and other medications in a few seconds.

The innovative DebioJect^TM micro-needle injection device, manufactured by Lausanne, Switzerland-based Debiotech, is designed to overcome the challenges of classic intradermal delivery techniques, while improving accurate site-and-dose delivery. Unlike other intradermal delivery systems, DebioJect^TM is a hollow micro-needle with a unique side-protected delivery hole. By placing the hole on the side of the needle at a precise depth, the skin can be punctured without coring and without removing any tissue.

Leaving the skin intact above the side hole prevents leakage during injection and fosters healing. In addition, by injecting through the side hole, where the needle does not apply direct pressure on the tissue, the device diffuses liquid more easily at a better defined- and-controlled depth. This enables pain-free injections of up to 0.5ml in only five seconds.

Leti-3S (Silicon Specialty Solutions) has worked with Debiotech for the past three years to industrialize the device using Leti’s MEMS manufacturing technology, which makes the micro-needles very strong, provides them with excellent biocompatibility properties and enables them to be manufactured in high volume and at low cost. KTH invented the micro-needle, and Mecaplast, of Botterens, Switzerland, assembles the devices. Leti is providing the micro-needles for ongoing clinical trials.

DebioJect^TM is entered in the Drug-Delivery Devices and Combination Products category of the 2014 Medical Design Excellence Awards. Winners will be announced June 11 at the Medical Design & Manufacturing East Conference (MD&M East) in New York City.

Leti-3S, which was started in 2012, is completely integrated in Leti’s silicon platform.  It helps startups, industrials and academic research centers realize and industrialize their processes and designs for innovative concepts or early-stage products, on the path to manufacturing.

About CEA-Leti
By creating innovation and transferring it to industry, Leti is the bridge between basic research and production of micro- and nanotechnologies that improve the lives of people around the world. Backed by its portfolio of 2,200 patents, Leti partners with large industrials, SMEs and startups to tailor advanced solutions that strengthen their competitive positions. It has launched more than 50 startups. Its 8,000m² of new-generation cleanroom space feature 200mm and 300mm wafer processing of micro and nano solutions for applications ranging from space to smart devices. Leti’s staff of more than 1,700 includes 200 assignees from partner companies. Leti is based in Grenoble, France, and has offices in Silicon Valley, Calif., and Tokyo. Visit www.leti.fr for more information.

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