Learning Lab

Two topics have been constantly keeping our medical device community busy, in particular in the drug injection field: how to offer a true device platform, usable across different drug families and therapeutic areas, combined with the discussion around value of data generated by connected devices. It is broadly accepted that a true device platform should enable to reduce development time and overall time-to-market, regulatory risk, costs and Capex. We believe that such platform should also be able to accompany a drug throughout its entire lifecycle, from early-stage clinical trial to lifecycle management of a mature drug product. In addition, gearing up such device platform with connectivity, sill today raises the question of the value of the generated data. The “lots-of-data-makes-it-all” approach may be an approach worth to try but does still not answer the question of the real value of generating data and information. We believe that focusing a connected solution, generating data, on a simple use case, such as clinical trials, may provide a faster response for a sustainable and proven value proposition for connected device solutions.

• STERIS is investing globally in growing their network of sterilization facilities.
• Additional E-beam capacity added in Malaysia and USA.
• X-ray processing to be available in the Netherlands, USA and south-east Asia.

Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs) have long faced challenges in terms of the robustness of management of active packaging. Active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) delivered in capsule-based DPIs can be subject to moisture and oxygen causing degradation of the API and ultimately impacting patient therapeutic efficacy. Three-phase polymer technology offers unique protection from residual moisture and ingress through the package. This presentation will explore the application of Aptar’s proprietary three-phase polymer™ technology in managing headspace, moisture and oxygen. It will also review a case study on a reservoir DPI, utilizing all three-phase polymers.
 

The noise generated around reducing the carbon footprint of industrial products has grown from a local whisper to a global symphony, this growing commitment to our environment could now impact the future of our medicinal products. Inhaler devices have been subject to close environmental scrutiny before, resulting in the transition from CFC to HFA propellants in 2008 to combat the threat of ozone depletion. Today we face a new challenge of global warming. So, where are we today? Where do we need to be tomorrow? We will explore where next for MDIs & HFA propellants, review the alternatives available and discuss the opportunities and solutions for the future.