The West Blog

Latest Blogs

As drug manufacturers aim for higher safety standards and enhanced patient care, controlling the drug product at the point-of-use in a hospital or clinical environment remains a significant challenge. The method of vial access often varies, increasing the risk of adverse patient outcomes, such as stopper cores or fragments entering the drug product. If injected, these fragments can lead to cardiovascular events and other complications. Several factors contribute to stopper coring and fragmentation in the field, primarily influenced by the technique of the practitioner and the properties of the elastomeric closure.

Sanjeev Seenath

July 09, 2025

Select a sub-category to view results

Films and Coatings

Pharmaceutical Packaging Components

Prefillable Systems

Self Injection Devices

Vial Containment Solutions

Washing and Sterilization

Reconstitution and Transfer Devices

Select a sub-category to view results

Analytical Lab Services

Contract Manufacturing

Fill-Finish

Regulatory Support

Select a sub-category to view results

Cell and Gene Therapy Packaging

Drug Development Process

Regulatory Challenges

Transitioning to Combination Products

Select a sub-category to view results

Corporate Development

ESG/Sustainability

One West Team (Employee Culture)

Our Culture of Giving (Philanthropy)

Research and Development

Previous Blogs

Storage/Shipment of Gene Therapies – Primary Package Systems

By Page McAndrew, PhD

September 04, 2020

Gene therapies are stored and shipped at ultra-low temperature (approximately -80^oC, either in a refrigerator or on dry ice). This provides a challenge to the primary package systems in maintaining container closure integrity (CCI), especially systems comprising glass vials and elastomer stoppers. These materials have different coefficients of thermal expansion. Upon cooling from room temperature to ultra-low temperature, they contract at different rates; this may lead to gaps and CCI loss.

Blogs

Categories

Products

Services

Challenges

About West

Select a sub-category to view results

Films and Coatings

Pharmaceutical Packaging Components

Prefillable Systems

Self Injection Devices

Vial Containment Solutions

Washing and Sterilization

Reconstitution and Transfer Devices

Select a sub-category to view results

Analytical Lab Services

Contract Manufacturing

Fill-Finish

Regulatory Support

Select a sub-category to view results

Cell and Gene Therapy Packaging

Drug Development Process

Regulatory Challenges

Transitioning to Combination Products

Select a sub-category to view results

Corporate Development

ESG/Sustainability

One West Team (Employee Culture)

Our Culture of Giving (Philanthropy)

Research and Development