SCHOTT is advancing to full-scale production of its new adaptiQ™ system for ready-to-use pharmaceutical vials at the company’s U.S. facility in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, in preparation for commercial launch early in 2015. At the same time, the U.S. syringe production line will be transferred to SCHOTT’s Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Packaging Solutions in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Since introducing the adaptiQ concept at CPhI Worldwide 2014, we have received strong interest from our customers. Based on the positive feedback from the market, we now plan to allocate even more of our U.S. manufacturing resources to the production of adaptiQ vials. Says Christopher Cassidy, Vice President Sales and Marketing, North America for the Pharmaceutical Packaging Business Unit at SCHOTT
A new generation of possibilities
Designed in close collaboration with filling-line manufacturers to meet the industry’s process requirements, SCHOTT adaptiQ consists of a patented nest that securely holds up to 100 clean and sterile vials in an industry-standard tub. Users can load these directly onto their filling lines without having to perform arduous processing steps, such as washing, drying, and sterilizing. Besides simplifying the process, the new nested packaging protects the glass containers from scratches caused by vial-to-vial and vial-to-machine contact. This reduces the reject rate and also preserves the cosmetic quality of the vials. SCHOTT’s adaptiQ vials will be available for purchase early in 2015, initially in the most popular ISO formats: 2R and 4R. SCHOTT will gradually introduce adaptiQ in all common ISO formats, from 2R to 30R. Samples are now available for evaluation.
Excellence in syringe technology
SCHOTT’s Center of Excellence in St. Gallen, Switzerland is the home of the company’s know-how in syringe design and technology. “Relocating production from the U.S. to St. Gallen, Switzerland enables us to further improve the quality of our products and to implement new innovations across our full production output more rapidly,” Cassidy explained.
Transfer of syringe production from the USA to Switzerland began in December 2014 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of September 2016. “We will be working closely with all our customers to make the transition of supply as seamless as possible,” said Cassidy.
For further information about SCHOTT syringes and the new adaptiQ system, visit: www.us.schott.com