PCI Pharma Services (PCI) has signed an exclusive collaboration with CSP Technologies for US clinical trials and stability testing utilising Activ-Blister packaging solutions, which help protect and promote speed-to-market for pharmaceutical and medical device products with heightened susceptibility to moisture and gases, especially oxygen.
Craig Voellmicke, Vice President, Business Development for CSP, commented: “CSP has deep roots in pioneering packaging solutions for pharma, nutraceuticals and diagnostics with materials engineered to scavenge moisture and target gases, such as oxygen.
"Activ-Blister solutions employ these capabilities to protect oral solid dose products within otherwise conventional blister materials. Collaborating with PCI combines these benefits with a world-class pharmaceutical services provider to help extend shelf life and optimise overall package design.”
The technology can be applied without changes to the existing footprints of packaging lines. It can also be incorporated into a wide range of blister packaging formats
With more than 400 patents, CSP Technologies is deemed a world leader in moisture protection and gas scavenging solutions. Headquartered in Alabama (US), the company has developed several gas scavenging solutions to protect sensitive products in a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, drug delivery systems/medical devices, diagnostics, food, and sensitive electronic components.
Activ-Blister is among CSP’s latest innovations, designed to actively control the internal atmosphere/headspace of individual blister cavities without the use of purging, allowing for improved stability and enhanced shelf life.
Using silica gel and molecular sieve technology, Activ-Blister solutions can absorb tailored amounts of moisture, oxygen and other gases, and can be produced in shapes and sizes to accommodate any tablet or capsule.
The technology can be applied without changes to the existing footprints of packaging lines. It can also be incorporated into a wide range of blister packaging formats, including push-through blisters, peel/push blisters, cold-form foils and high barrier films containing Aclar laminates.
Supporting sensitive drug products
“Increasingly, we are seeing a need from our clients for supporting sensitive drug products,” commented Bob Misher, Senior Vice President, PCI Clinical Services. “With the pressure on pipeline development to reduce lead-times and reduce drug development costs, coupled with a growing focus on specialised medicines, our clients are challenged to get products through clinical phases and into commercialisation more quickly than ever before. Often, this results in drug products that are very sensitive to moisture, oxygen or other gases and this can be problematic for both expedited clinical study as well as in progressing to commercialisation.”
According to Misher, this has traditionally required the use of high-barrier films and foils and potentially packaging in modified environments to attempt to achieve the required shelf life. "With CSP’s Activ-Blister solutions, the proven technology will substantially impact the success of the packaging system in achieving optimal shelf life, resulting in faster speed-to-market for our clients. We have already seen considerable interest in initiating studies utilising Activ-Blister.”
PCI Pharma Services, a full-service provider of specialist outsourced drug manufacturing, clinical trial services, and commercial packaging to the global healthcare industry, operates a global network of packaging sites across three continents, supporting medicines destined to reach over 100 countries around the world.
On September 10, PCI announced the acquisition of San Diego-based Sherpa Clinical Packaging. PCI also recently expanded its global reach with the acquisition and integration of EU-based Millmount Healthcare, in Dublin, Ireland, as well as Pharmaceutical Packaging Professionals (PPP), located in Melbourne, Australia.
