Gerresheimer has joined forces with Stevanato and SCHOTT Pharma to expedite the market adoption of ready-to-use (RTU) vials and cartridges.
The companies, which are major players in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, are creating an alliance named Alliance for RTU.
This alliance aims to share expertise and technical knowledge with pharmaceutical companies, contract manufacturing organisations, and contract development and manufacturing organisations.
The adoption of RTU vials and cartridges is expected to bring numerous benefits to the pharmaceutical industry.
These include decreased operational risks, enhanced flexibility and efficiency, reduced waste, and streamlined processes that can lead to increased productivity.
Moreover, RTU technology can reduce contamination risks and facilitate compliance with EU GMP Annex 1 regulations.
The quality of pharmaceutical products is also set to improve with the use of RTU containers.
These containers are designed to minimise the release of glass particles and the risks of breakage or rejection, thereby preserving the integrity of the drug throughout its life cycle.
The increasing demand for injectable medicines and the regulatory pressure to meet safety standards are driving the market's investment in advanced aseptic filling technologies.
The Alliance for RTU not only aims to promote these advantages but also to establish an expert platform open to other industry players.
This platform will assist manufacturers in understanding the key benefits of RTU processes and products, and in evaluating investments for transitioning to efficient filling systems that meet their needs, from clinical applications to commercial use.
Gerresheimer management board member Lukas Burkhardt said: "As an industry, we are fully prepared for the transition to RTU vials and cartridges. With recent advancements, RTU processing is now a mature technology which will improve our customers operations in terms of efficiency, cost and time to market."
The Alliance for RTU will make its official debut at the CPHI in Milan, Italy, on 8 October 2024, where it will host a dedicated event to further discuss the initiative and its implications for the industry.
In May this year, Gerresheimer Glas, a subsidiary of Gerresheimer, entered into an agreement to acquire Blitz LuxCo for approximately €800m ($866.14m).
