Autoinjector

An auto-injector, comprising:

• a case adapted to receive a syringe with a needle, wherein the syringe has a container body and a stopper movably retained in the container body, and, in a state of the auto-injector as delivered, the needle is covered by a protective needle sheath;
• a plunger arranged to move in a proximal direction relative to the syringe for dispensing a medicament from the syringe when the syringe is disposed in the case;
• a plunger release mechanism actuatable to release the plunger to allow a proximal movement of the plunger relative to the syringe, wherein the plunger has a ramp engagement portion which, before the plunger is released, engages a ramp arranged within the case;
• a drive spring configured to drive the plunger for dispensing the medicament from the syringe, wherein there is a gap between the stopper and the plunger before the plunger is released, the gap is closed when the plunger is enabled to drive the stopper proximally relative to the container body, and the drive spring is configured to bias the plunger proximally to move the ramp engagement portion of the plunger when the ramp engagement portion is in engagement with the ramp to rotate the plunger for releasing the plunger;
• a blocking feature arranged to block a rotation of the plunger before the plunger is released, wherein the blocking feature releasably engages the plunger and is rotationally locked relative to the case;
• and
• a cap operatively coupled to the protective needle sheath via a barb to remove the protective needle sheath together with the cap,
• wherein the auto-injector is configured so as to rotate the plunger relative to the case to release the plunger for the proximal movement relative to the syringe.