Pharmapack
During the 13th edition of Pharmapack Europe, which took place in Paris on 12–13 February 2014, the Pharmapack Awards panel of judges announced their decision on the most innovative packaging developments for drug, veterinary products and devices placed in the market between January and December 2013.
This year, special attention was given to technology advances in packaging intelligence such as new materials, primary and secondary packaging, delivery, labelling, anti-counterfeiting technologies, identification and traceability for patient monitoring and medical packaging for devices bearing the CE marking.
The judges delivered two awards:
Award in 'Medical device for diagnostic' — EYEPRIM developed by Opia Technologies & Groupe JBT
EYEPRIM is a medical device for ophthalmology that aims to improve the diagnostics of ocular surface pathologies thanks to biomolecular analyses. EYEPRIM is the result of partnership work conducted by OPIA Technologies, a start-up created in 2010 within the Vision Institute of Paris, and Group JBT, a mould maker and plastic injection specialist.
The challenge was to integrate the thin ocular biopsy collection surface within a complex MD that includes 11 components, 8 of which are high precision injection moulded parts. After two years of development, EYEPRIM allows the sampling of conjunctival cells (from the white part of the eye) and associated biomarkers in a mini-invasive way, to diagnose ocular surface pathologies such as dry eye, allergy and infections. It works by contact with a collection surface on conjunctiva for a few seconds according to a reproducible kinematic. Tested clinically, it is claimed that the EYEPRIM device painlessly collects two times more cells in twice less time. Its simplicity of use reportedly offers new perspectives for the management of ocular surface pathologies, often hard to diagnose and treat.
Award in 'Quality of life' — Nanopass developed by Terumo
Patients have long been in search of virtually painless injections. Terumo claims to have made this possible with the advanced NANOPASS 34, the world’s thinnest pen needle based on research by Terumo in August 2012.
Recent developments indicate biopharmaceutical drugs are becoming more viscous, creating challenges to the injectability. Terumo’s tapered needle technology makes it possible to minimise needle size, enhancing patient comfort while still allowing the drug to flow smoothly through the needle. The company discovered that needles made with tapered needle technology are virtually pain free and can still be used to inject more viscous solutions.
Terumo develops its products using its long-term experience of metal and alloy processing combined with Japanese precision craftsmanship. Tapered needles are folded with precision, not extruded.
To participate in the Pharmapack Awards 2015 and propose innovative products that reached the market between January and December 2014, please email pharmapack@ubm.com.