Packaging
Gerresheimer presents innovative syringe technologies for biopharmaceutics
Monday 22. June 2009 - AAPS National Biotechnology Conference 2009 in Seattle/Washington, USA
PharmaPlus and Baked-On RTF represent a comprehensive concept at the highest quality level
In parallel with the rapidly growing role of biopharma¬ceutics, tailor-made drug delivery technologies to take optimum account of the special sensitivity of this type of drug are becoming increasingly important. Focusing on this, Gerresheimer presents at the National Biotechnology Confer¬ence of the AAPS – American Association of Pharmaceu¬tical Scientists – in Seattle/Washington a comprehensive range of innovative developments for injection materials. Here ready-to-fill sterile syringes under the leading trademark RTF once again show the latest status of technology (June 22-23, 2009 in the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Booth 936).
In the field of drug packaging, biotechnology today demands the fulfilment of maximum qualitative requirements. Medications based on biotech processes are frequently used in very small, very precisely measured doses and contain for example proteins and peptides: substances which under certain circumstances tend to be absorbed by surface areas and in particular can react sensitively to the customary liquid siliconisation, even to the point of inactivation. “With advanced technologies for production and performance, RTF has again opened up a new quality dimension,” comments Burkhard Lingen¬berg, Director of Marketing and Communication for the Gerresheimer Group.
PharmaPlus describes a whole complex of high-caliber technical solutions for the shaping of glass pharma containers – especially the syringe body. Product development and proprietary engineering by Gerresheimer Bünde combine its existing glass shaping technology for this with new, perfectly harmonized process steps in a unique production facility. The PharmaPlus production line offers for example 100% cosmetic camera inspection and gentle transportation systems with pick-and-place technology.
PharmaPlus tubing offers correspondingly camera-checked quality in the input stage – namely in production of the borosilicate tubes from which syringes and cartridges are made. Already in this phase, particles are actively removed for example. The protective packaging for transportation has also been optimized.
Baked-On RTF guarantees the necessary slide facility on the syringe wall for the plunger head with the help of well-tried silicone oil – but fixes this permanently to the glass, thus preventing unwanted reactions with sensitive pharma substances. The process, which has now been patented, can in particular significantly enhance the stability of biopharmaceutics in the prefilled syringe.
Across the board in the field of injections Gerresheimer has repeat¬edly shown itself to be a pacemaker for the pharma & life science market. With multicolor heat-transfer printing, individual laser coding as a reliable track-and-trace solution and intelligent accesso¬ries ranging from the Rigid Needle Shield with thermoplastic elastomer (TERNS) to the twist-action Tamper Evident Luerlock Closure (TELC), the product spectrum caters for all needs particularly through the further design options offered.
And in addition to RTF syringes the range of other products offered for injections is also becoming more and more attractive. The display includes for example insulin pen systems, which Gerresheimer is today able to realize completely in house: together with all the functional plastic components and directly matched glass cartridges in PharmaPlus quality.