German contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) Vetter has released Vetter-Ject, a novel closure system for prefilled syringes that is suitable for highly-sensitive compounds such as biologics.
Vetter-Ject consists of a needle hub and a needle shield that is partly produced using a two-component injection moulding process of polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomer.
Owing to the baked-in siliconisation process for the glass barrel, Vetter says less silicon oil than commonly used is necessary, making Vetter-Ject particularly suitable for silicon-sensitive drug products. The silicon content of the syringe can also be adjusted according to the requirements of the customer. Thus, the amount of silicon used, as well as the related particle load, can be reduced by up to 80% compared with the standard siliconisation process applied to conventional syringe systems.
Vetter-Ject is ready-to-use with an integrated needle that is simple to handle and user-friendly. The tamper-evident feature is activated when the needle shield is removed and the plastic bridges are broken, preventing any potential misuse or reuse and ensuring that any attempt at opening the closure system will be immediately and permanently visible to the naked eye.
Our patented syringe closure system offers pharmaceutical and biotech companies more options for filling highly sensitive parenteral drugs
Vetter-Ject can be used with a range of primary packaging options such as different stoppers and glass barrels, which can be customised according to the needs of the drug product.
The company also provides complete sterile fill and finish services and offers as part of its packaging service the assembly and final packaging of Vetter-Ject syringe systems; from trays and plunger rod assembly, to auto-injector assembly and final packaging.
Tilman Roedle, Director of Packaging Development at Vetter, said: 'Our patented syringe closure system offers pharmaceutical and biotech companies more options for filling highly sensitive parenteral drugs.
'Patients and qualified medical personnel now have the advantage of the system's easy handling and high standards for product safety and integrity.'
In recognition of its novel design, Vetter's new syringe closure system has already received two international awards prior to its launch: the IF Design Award and the Red Dot Design Award.