Packaging Solutions for Sensitive Molecules

Considering the world of commercial transparent polymers, Daikyo Crystal Zenith® cyclic olefin polymer (COP) clearly stands out – having very good resistance to oxygen/water and compatibility with drug product (it comprises only carbon and hydrogen). Other transparent polymers may suffer limitations, in one or more ways. For example, poly(vinylidene chloride) has outstanding resistance to oxygen/water, but lacks compatibility; sterilization can result in release of HCl. For parenteral drug products, polymer-based containment/delivery systems have many advantages compared to glass.

The need to provide vaccines for the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has presented the pharmaceutical industry with unprecedented challenges. Among them are accelerated timelines for development/approval and unanticipated volumes for manufacture/delivery. Ordinarily for a new drug product, there is ample time for selecting the primary package system and establishing component availability.

In recent years, an increasing variety of biologic drugs have been developed including vaccines, recombinant proteins, gene and cell therapies. In China, this increased demand will be reflected in a significant growth in the size of the bio-pharmaceutical industry. As a result, the Chinese government is increasing its investment.