http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/215510.php

Antares Pharma Announces First Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient Dosed In VIBEX™ MTX Clinical Trial - Antares Pharma, Inc. (NYSE Amex: AIS) announced that the first patient has been dosed in a clinical study evaluating the VIBEX™ MTX product which is being developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis...

(snip...) "Antares Pharma, Inc. (NYSE Amex: AIS) announced that the first patient has been dosed in a clinical study evaluating the VIBEX™ MTX product which is being developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The clinical study will evaluate several dose strengths of VIBEX MTX delivered with a proprietary autoinjector versus conventional needle and syringe administration by a healthcare professional.

VIBEX MTX is Antares' proprietary, wholly owned methotrexate injection system designed for rapid self-administration in three simple steps by patients. VIBEX MTX is engineered to enable patients to self-inject reliably, comfortably, and conveniently at home." (more...)

"About Methotrexate

Methotrexate is a commonly prescribed disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD), used in an estimated 70% of rheumatoid arthritis patients either on its own or in combination with biological therapies. Methotrexate is started at a low dose, generally 7.5mg given orally, once-a-week, and titrated up for greater therapeutic effect, or until the patient incurs side effects. The maximum oral dose given is generally 20mg to 25mg per week. Published studies have reported as many as 30% to 60% of patients experience gastrointestinal side effects with oral methotrexate, preventing further dose escalation or requiring discontinuation in some patients. Also, the extent of oral absorption of methotrexate varies considerably between patients and has been shown to decline with increasing doses, which may also contribute to insufficient therapeutic response even after dose escalation. Switching patients from oral to parenteral methotrexate improves absorption and has been associated with improved therapeutic response. Additionally, some studies have shown a lower incidence of gastrointestinal side effects in patients that were switched from oral to parenteral methotrexate."

Source:
Antares Pharma




Better method to delivering the medication - *and hopes for less side effects? Sure sounds better.