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Who Is Building the Pens Behind the GLP-1 Boom? Inside 25 Moves by Eli Lilly, Ypsomed, SHL Medical, BD & More
Company Analysis | GLP-1 Drug Delivery
Global GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Autoinjectors Market: Who Is Building the Pens Behind the Obesity Boom?
From Eli Lilly's Mounjaro to new pen platforms from Ypsomed, SHL Medical, BD, Stevanato, West and Owen Mumford, we analyse 25 recent moves to show who is winning the race to deliver GLP-1 therapies.
Get My Free Sample Report → Ask an Analyst a QuestionKey Findings at a Glance
✔ SHL Medical is the most active company, with 6 developments, followed by BD with 5.
✔ 8 of 16 dated developments happened in 2026, making it the breakout year for GLP-1 delivery investment.
✔ USD 330 million is going into new US plants from SHL Medical and BD.
✔ Consolidation has started: Embecta is buying Owen Mumford, and West sold its SmartDose rights to AbbVie.
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About This Analysis
GLP-1 receptor agonists such as tirzepatide and semaglutide have become some of the most in-demand medicines in the world for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Almost all of them reach patients through a pen or autoinjector, which means the companies that design devices, make glass cartridges and syringes, and build factories now shape how fast these therapies can scale.
We reviewed the profiles, product pages, 25 recent developments and financial publications of seven companies across the GLP-1 autoinjector value chain: one drug maker, three device platform makers, and three suppliers of primary containers and drug delivery systems.
1. Company Snapshot
The seven companies fall into three groups. Eli Lilly makes the drug, device platform makers design the pen or autoinjector, and container and delivery-system suppliers provide the cartridges, syringes and, increasingly, complete pens.
| Company | Role | Key GLP-1 delivery products | Strategic focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eli Lilly and Company | GLP-1 drug maker | Mounjaro (tirzepatide) single-dose pen | Global access to GLP-1s |
| Ypsomed Holding AG | Device platform maker | YpsoMate autoinjector, UnoPen | GLP-1 partnerships and digital |
| SHL Medical AG | Device platform maker | Autoinjector range, Molly platform | Scale and US capacity |
| Owen Mumford Ltd. | Device platform maker | Aidaptus autoinjector, safety syringes | Acquisition by Embecta |
| Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) | Containers and delivery systems | Physioject autoinjector, Vystra pen, Neopak syringes | GLP-1 launches and US supply |
| Stevanato Group S.p.A | Containers and delivery systems | Deora and Alina pens, Aidaptus, EZ-fill cartridges | GLP-1 pens and cartridges |
| West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. | Containers and delivery systems | Self-injection packaging and devices | GLP-1 manufacturing capacity |
2. Development Activity by Company
SHL Medical and BD are the most active companies, with 6 and 5 developments respectively. Device platform makers account for 14 of the 25 developments (56%), and container and delivery-system suppliers for 9 (36%). Eli Lilly, the only drug maker, accounts for 2. The pattern is clear: much of the visible competition in GLP-1 delivery now happens among device and component suppliers.
Recent Developments per Company
SHL Medical6BD5Ypsomed4Owen Mumford4Stevanato2West2Eli Lilly2Device platform makerContainers & systemsDrug makerBased on the 25 development items reviewed for this analysis. Two links about Stevanato's Deora pen cover the same launch and are counted once.
3. Pace of Activity: 2026 Is the Breakout Year
We could confirm dates for 16 of the 25 developments. Half of them happened in 2026 alone, which shows how quickly the GLP-1 device supply chain is moving from planning to large-scale investment.
Dated Developments by Year
120212202212023020244202582026Counts only developments whose date we confirmed from the source page (16 of 25).
2026 Timeline
| Jan 2026 |
|
West agrees to sell its SmartDose 3.5 mL on-body system rights to AbbVie for USD 112.5 million |
| Jan 2026 |
|
BD commits USD 110 million to make Neopak glass prefillable syringes in Nebraska for biologics and GLP-1s |
| Mar 2026 |
|
Embecta agrees to acquire Owen Mumford |
| Mar 2026 |
|
West opens a 165,000 sq ft expansion in Dublin aimed at GLP-1 production |
| Jun 2026 |
|
Stevanato launches the Deora pen injector for GLP-1 and obesity drugs |
| Jul 2026 |
|
BD and EMS launch semaglutide in Brazil on the BD Vystra pen |
| Sep 2026 |
|
Stevanato and Syntegon co-develop GLP-1 ready-to-use cartridges |
| Sep 2026 |
|
Eli Lilly announces its Change the Course Commitment for GLP-1 access |
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Get the Free Sample →4. Strategic Theme Analysis
Grouping each development by its main theme shows that partnerships lead (7 of 25), closely followed by product and commercial launches (6). Capacity investments (4) and deals (2) are fewer in number but much larger in value, as section 7 shows.
Developments by Main Theme (n = 25)
7 Partnerships (28%)
6 Product and commercial launches (24%)
4 Capacity investments (16%)
3 Industry events (12%)
2 M&A and divestments (8%)
3 Other (access, digital, milestones) (12%)
5. Company vs Theme Heatmap
Because one development can touch several themes, this heatmap shows where each company concentrates its effort. Every company has at least one development aimed directly at GLP-1 or obesity therapies, which confirms how central this drug class has become to the whole injectable device industry.
Number of Developments Touching Each Theme
| Partnerships | Capacity | Launches | GLP-1 & obesity focus | M&A & divestment | Digital & access | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eli Lilly | – | – | 1 | 2 | – | 1 |
| Ypsomed | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | – | 1 |
| SHL Medical | 1 | 1 | – | 2 | – | – |
| Owen Mumford | 1 | – | 2 | 1 | 1 | – |
| BD | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | – | – |
| Stevanato | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | – | – |
| West | – | 1 | – | 1 | 1 | – |
Darker cells mean more developments. One development can count toward several themes.
6. Partnership and Deal Network
Ypsomed has the widest network. It supplies autoinjectors to Novo Nordisk, maker of semaglutide, and its YpsoMate platform carries Innovent's mazdutide, the world's first dual GCG/GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity. The Ypsomed–BD and Stevanato–Owen Mumford links show that competitors often work together, combining one company's device with another's container or manufacturing strength.
Who Works With Whom
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✔ Regional and country analysis
✔ Detailed company profiles
✔ Competitive landscape and market share
✔ Growth drivers, challenges and opportunities
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7. Money Moves: Disclosed Investment and Deal Values
Four developments come with a disclosed value, together worth about USD 577 million. Two are new US manufacturing plants: SHL Medical's USD 220 million autoinjector plant in South Carolina and BD's USD 110 million syringe plant in Nebraska. The other two are portfolio moves. Embecta is buying Owen Mumford for £100 million upfront plus up to £50 million in milestones, and West is selling its SmartDose 3.5 mL rights to AbbVie.
Disclosed Values (USD Million)
SHL Medical: North Charleston plant220Embecta buys Owen Mumford (upfront)134.3West sells SmartDose rights to AbbVie112.5BD: Neopak syringe plant, Nebraska110Embecta–Owen Mumford: £100 million upfront (about USD 134.3 million), plus up to £50 million in sales milestones.
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The GLP-1 delivery value chain has three layers: the drug, the device that delivers it, and the primary container that holds it. Some suppliers, notably BD and Stevanato, now span both the device and container layers.
The drug
Eli Lilly: Mounjaro (tirzepatide), a once-weekly GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist in a single-dose pen, with prescriber information.
Pens and autoinjectors
Ypsomed: YpsoMate autoinjector and UnoPen pen injector.
SHL Medical: autoinjector range.
Owen Mumford: Aidaptus and self-injection devices.
BD: Physioject 1 mL autoinjector (see brochure) and the Vystra pen.
Stevanato: Deora and Alina pens and the Aidaptus autoinjector.
Containers and systems
Stevanato: GLP-1 and peptide solutions, including EZ-fill ready-to-use cartridges.
BD: self-injection systems and Neopak glass prefillable syringes.
West: GLP-1 self-injection packaging and self-injection devices.
9. Company Deep Dives
Eli Lilly and Company
The US FDA approved Mounjaro (tirzepatide), the first GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, delivered in a single-dose pen. Lilly has now launched the Change the Course Commitment, aiming to get diabetes and obesity medicines to as many patients in low- and middle-income countries as in wealthy ones by 2040.
What it signals: Lilly is shifting from launching GLP-1s to scaling them worldwide, which will need much larger volumes of pens and, over time, oral options.
Ypsomed Holding AG
Ypsomed signed an autoinjector supply deal with Novo Nordisk. Its YpsoMate autoinjector carries mazdutide, the world’s first dual GCG/GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity, launched in China by Innovent and supported by Ypsomed's Changzhou facility. It expanded its partnership with BD for large-volume biologics and teamed up with Sidekick Health on a digital obesity-care solution that links SmartPilot-enabled YpsoMate autoinjectors to a patient app.
What it signals: Ypsomed is betting on GLP-1 and obesity with deals on every front: drug partners, a device partner, and connected digital care to support adherence.
SHL Medical AG
SHL opened a USD 220 million, fully automated autoinjector plant in North Charleston, South Carolina, focused mainly on cardiometabolic treatments. It has shipped more than 1.5 billion autoinjectors and delivered 78.7 million devices in 2024 alone. It is also active at industry events, including ObesityWeek 2025, London and Pharma-ED, and works with SCHOTT Pharma on large-volume home injections.
What it signals: SHL is building US capacity close to GLP-1 demand and marketing directly to the obesity community.
Owen Mumford Ltd.
Embecta, the diabetes-care company spun out of BD, agreed to buy Owen Mumford for £100 million upfront plus up to £50 million in milestones, with closing expected in Q3 2026. Owen Mumford launched its next-generation Aidaptus autoinjector, extended its 1 mL safety syringe platform and has an exclusive Aidaptus collaboration with Stevanato.
What it signals: The acquisition gives Embecta a path beyond insulin into obesity and other self-injection markets, which is a sign of how valuable autoinjector know-how has become.
Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD)
BD and EMS launched semaglutide in Brazil on the BD Vystra pen. BD is investing USD 110 million to make Neopak glass prefillable syringes in Columbus, Nebraska, creating about 120 jobs, and has expanded capacity for advanced prefillable syringes. It has also strengthened its Ypsomed alliance, expanding the partnership and collaborating on high-viscosity biologics.
What it signals: BD is positioning itself as a single supplier for syringe, pen and autoinjector needs, and is tapping generic semaglutide demand in emerging markets.
Stevanato Group S.p.A
Stevanato launched Deora (press release), a multi-use pen injector with a pull-push mechanism designed to reduce dosing errors in GLP-1 and obesity treatment. It is also working with Syntegon on GLP-1 ready-to-use cartridges, with launch expected in early 2027.
What it signals: Stevanato is moving up the value chain from containers into complete GLP-1 pens.
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
West opened a 165,000 sq ft expansion in Dublin to increase capacity for high-volume injectables, especially GLP-1s. It also agreed to sell its SmartDose 3.5 mL rights to AbbVie for USD 112.5 million, while keeping development of other SmartDose versions.
What it signals: West is focusing its resources on high-volume GLP-1 components and services, and stepping back from owning a single on-body device.
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Download the Sample →10. Financial Transparency Analysis
Five of the seven companies are publicly listed and publish full financial reports. SHL Medical and Owen Mumford are privately held, so only third-party revenue estimates are available. Once Embecta completes its acquisition, Owen Mumford's results are expected to appear inside Embecta's public reporting.
| Company | Financial source | Disclosure level |
|---|---|---|
| Eli Lilly and Company | Investor financial report |
|
| Ypsomed Holding AG | Financial publications |
|
| Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) | Annual Report 2025 |
|
| Stevanato Group S.p.A | SEC filing |
|
| West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. | Investor financial report |
|
| SHL Medical AG | Latka profile |
|
| Owen Mumford Ltd. | Growjo profile |
|
11. Key Takeaways
| 01 | Device makers lead the activity Device platform makers account for 14 of 25 developments. SHL Medical is the most active, with 6. |
| 02 | 2026 is the investment breakout 8 of 16 dated developments happened in 2026, including 2 new US plants worth a combined USD 330 million. |
| 03 | Partnerships are the top strategy 7 of 25 developments are partnerships. Ypsomed and BD lead with 3 each. |
| 04 | Consolidation has started Embecta’s deal for Owen Mumford and West’s sale of SmartDose rights to AbbVie show companies reshaping their portfolios around self-injection. |
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Which companies lead the global GLP-1 receptor agonist autoinjectors market?
Key companies include Eli Lilly, Ypsomed, SHL Medical, Owen Mumford, BD, Stevanato Group and West Pharmaceutical Services.
Which company is the most active?
SHL Medical has the most recent developments (6), followed by BD (5), then Ypsomed and Owen Mumford (4 each).
What are the biggest recent investments?
SHL Medical’s USD 220 million US autoinjector plant, Embecta’s acquisition of Owen Mumford, West’s USD 112.5 million SmartDose rights sale to AbbVie, and BD’s USD 110 million syringe plant.
Why do GLP-1 drugs need autoinjectors?
Most GLP-1 receptor agonists are injected under the skin, weekly or daily, by patients at home. Pens and autoinjectors make dosing simple, accurate and less intimidating.
Sources
Eli Lilly and Company
About · Contact · Product 1 · Recent development 1 · Website · Financials · Product 2 · Recent development 2
Ypsomed Holding AG
About · Contact · Product 1 · Recent development 1 · Website · Financials · Product 2 · Recent development 2 · Product 3 · Recent development 3
SHL Medical AG
About · Contact · Product 1 · Recent development 1 · Website · Financials · Product 2 · Recent development 2 · Product 3 · Recent development 3 · Recent development 4
Stevanato Group S.p.A
About 1 · Contact · Product 1 · Recent development 1 · Website · Financials · About 2 · Product 2 · Recent development 2 · Product 3 · Product 4
Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD)
About · Contact · Product 1 · Recent development 1 · Website · Financials · Product 2 · Recent development 2 · Product 3 · Recent development 3 · Recent development 4 · Recent development 5
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
About · Contact · Product 1 · Recent development 1 · Website · Financials · Product 2 · Recent development 2 · Product 3
Owen Mumford Ltd.
About · Contact · Product 1 · Recent development 1 · Website · Financials · Product 2 · Recent development 2 · Recent development 3 · Recent development 4
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