Swiss diagnostic and therapeutic giant, Roche, recently invested more than $181m in Halozyme Therapeutics (San Diego, CA) to develop a patient-friendly, subcutaneous device for self administering anti cancer drugs-Herceptin, in particular.  The subcutaneous route is faster to accomplish than IV infusion (which usually are done in a hospital or infusion center), and results in a slower absorption of the drug, reducing side effects. Devices now join diagnostics and therapeutics as companions for more personalized medicine.   MORE

Key words: pharmacy, nursing