Tag Archives: Syringes

Prefillable polymer syringes, an innovative primary packaging solution that meets your specific requirements

Prefillable polymer syringes have gained big interest by the pharmaceutical industry in recent years. Besides the traditional glass syringes, polymer syringes have established in the aesthetics as well as in the biotech and animal health sectors.

Many new, especially protein-based, biotechnologically manufactured medications, but also highly viscous or low-dosage drug formulations, and a series of oncologic and ophthalmologic medications make high demands of primary packaging. Gerresheimer Medical Systems offers a wide range of prefillable plastic syringes, especially for such applications. They are produced by COP (Cyclo Olefin Polymer) in an injection moulding process in accordance with cGMP.

There are quite some advantages of polymer syringes. For highly demanding drug formulations, especially the features “glue free” and “tungsten free” are important. Particulate matter caused by the siliconization of the syringes are often an issue for sensitive drug formulations. So low particle loads are achieved by a special siliconization and there are silicone free options feasible as well. Also, protein adsorption from the drug formulation on the container surface may pose a problem. As COP reacts different from glass, some test results on protein adsorption will be presented.

COP (Cyclo Olefin Polymer) syringes are distinguished by a high degree of break resistance, glass-like transparency and very low oxygen permeation compared to other plastics. They can be used directly for aseptic filling. COP releases no alkali ions, which means that the risk of a pH value shift is eliminated. Production with injection moulding process enables flexible designs – even customer-specific designs are possible. In comparison to glass more precise production tolerances are possible thanks to the exact injection moulding. This makes a higher degree of customized solutions possible, for example, when a lower remaining volume is required.

We also offer our customers an extensive portfolio of prefillable glass syringes that are adapted to the current requirements of the pharmaceutical industry and fulfil the requirements of modern filling systems.

The webinar will also introduce the new production facility for “Gx RTF® ClearJect®” COP syringes in Germany. We will give a deeper insight into the world of prefillable polymer syringes. The pros and cons of polymer syringes vs. glass syringes are discussed. You will have the opportunity to ask special questions to our technical expert. The webinar addresses packaging developers and pharmacists of all skill levels. Besides the material and syringe properties, also behaviour on filling lines and special requirements and adaptions in this field as well as drug-container interactions will be discussed.

In case prefillable polymer syringes are a topic in your company, don’t miss to register for this webinar.

Register for the webinar Avantages of polymer syringes for demanding formulations’  on 27th September 8:30 New York/2:30PM Germany

Expert interview with Bernd Zeiss, Speaker of ‘Advantages of polymer syringes for demanding formulations’ Webinar.

What do you hope attendees will gain at your event/s?
I hope the attendees will get a deeper insight into the properties and advantages of prefillable COP syringes. The material is not really new anymore in the pharma primary packaging sector, but I still have the feeling pharma customers are a bit reluctant and cautious when it comes to materials other than glass. I want to give a deeper insight into the COP as a packaging material for parenterals, so the attendees feel more secure and comfortable with COP syringes.

What discussions do you look forward to having with the attendees?
COP syringes are widely used today, not only in the biotech field. I am looking forward to not only presenting COP syringes but also to get feedback if and why the syringes meet the requirements of pharma customers. Gerresheimer is always looking to improve its products. Besides sharing my knowledge I hope to get some input for improvements and new ideas from the attendees.

What do you enjoy most about your role?
In Technical Support you get a deep insight into quite a range of topics. Besides expanding my core expertise especially in biocompatibility and syringeability I have the chance to learn about the manufacturing of glass and polymer syringes, the Fill and Finish as well as the therapeutic background of injectable drugs.

How did you get into the industry?
I have been working in the primary packaging and pharma industry for already more than 15 years. As a natural scientist with a background in statistics, a clear customer focus and some curiosity the pharma packaging and medical device sectors never get boring. After university, I knew there is something out there I don´t know yet and that´s where I am going to work. So here I am.

Where is your favourite place in the world and why?
 I like travelling a lot, and I have been to many places in the world. Many travels are work related as Gerresheimer is a very international company. All countries and people have their specifics which I all appreciate. Yet my favourite place is at home, a small town in Germany not far from our glass syringe production site. That´s where I can make up my mind and create new ideas.

Join Bernd Zeiss on 27th September for a webinar entitled Avantages of polymer syringes for demanding formulations’ at 8:30 New York/2:30PM Germany

Kevin J. Wrigley, Product and Service Manager, Vetter Pharma International GmbH

Kevin J. Wrigley

Kevin J. Wrigley earned his MSc in International Business from the University of Ulster, UK in 2009. At Vetter, he is responsible for managing the commercial manufacturing business as it pertains to the product lifecycle and portfolio management perspective. Kevin began his career in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries in management positions at Smith & Nephew, and MorphoSys. He joined Vetter International in 2013 as Product & Service Manager.

1.      Why did you decide to do a webinar with Business Review Webinars?
Webinars are an important vehicle for helping us reach our target audiences with key messages. Given our positive experience with webinars in the past, it is to our advantage to continue participating in them. We see Business Review Webinars as the right partner to help deliver our messages to the market.

2.      What are you looking forward to explaining to the audience?
We would like to educate audiences to the trends that are occurring in the pharmaceutical industry, and what to consider when choosing a drug delivery system. In particular, we would like to make them aware of the options available with prefilled syringes.

3.      How did you get into the industry and what do you most enjoy about your role?
I started working in the industry in the area of drug discovery, followed by positions in medical technology, and drug development. I am fascinated by the ever-changing nature of the industry. My current position offers me a great deal of satisfaction as I have the opportunity to interact with a wide-variety of internal and external stakeholders.

4.      Football or tennis?
I like both sports, though I am but a spectator in football and a more talented in playing tennis.

5.       What would someone be surprised to know about you?
I see myself as a cosmopolitan; living & working in so many different places that I feel the world as a whole is my home!

Don’t forget to join the upcoming Vetter Pharma webinar titled ‘Packaging challenges for prefilled syringes in a growing biologics market‘ on November 17th. Register here.