The 2026 Pharmapack Awards recognized four breakthrough innovations in pharmaceutical packaging that combine sustainability with patient-centric design. Winners include Smart Safe's mono-material packaging, YpsoLoop's 87% lower-emission autoinjector, SmartDose's precision granule dosing system, and MEADOW KAPSUL's refillable packaging technology.
- Smart Safe features mono-material design integrating all functions into a single piece, simplifying processes and facilitating recycling
- YpsoLoop® autoinjector achieves 87% lower CO₂ emissions than conventional injectors with 18 g CO2-eq per device footprint
- SmartDose™ system delivers 500 mg increments with ±2% accuracy and reduces packaging waste by over 60% compared to traditional sachets
- MEADOW KAPSUL™ offers spill-free refillable cans using existing aluminum recycling infrastructure with 75% global recycling rate
Every year, at the Pharmapack show, the show producers announce the Pharmapack Award winners at a special award ceremony held in the evening of the first day of the show. This year's winners include:
Category: Eco-design
Smart Safe from Leca Farma (Leca Graphics, Grupo Lantero).
Smart Safe marks a turning point in pharmaceutical packaging. Its mono-material design, which integrates all functions into a single piece, simplifies processes, reduces costs, and facilitates recycling. It is a solution that combines innovation, sustainability, and efficiency, aligned with the principles of the circular economy and the sector’s environmental commitment. An intelligent proposal that meets current demands and anticipates those of the future.
YpsoLoop® resolves the long-standing conflict between patient convenience and environmental responsibility. Pharmapack; Elisabeth Cuneo
YpsoLoop™: The prefilled autoinjector uniting sustainability and patient convenience from YPOSEMD.
YpsoLoop® resolves the long-standing conflict between patient convenience and environmental responsibility. Single-use autoinjectors have been associated with high levels of branded waste and C02 emissions, raising concerns for healthcare providers, patients and pharmaceutical partners. YpsoLoop® ends this trade-off by combining the proven simplicity of a two-step, pre-filled device with a design that advances sustainability in two ways: by already lowering CO₂ emissions through adherence to eco-design principles, and by being built for circularity.
Independent life-cycle assessments show YpsoLoop® delivers up to 87% lower material-related CO2 emissions than conventional injectors. Its cradle-to-gate footprint is about 18 g CO2-eq per device, achieved through smart material choices and streamlined architecture. This impact is already realized, regardless of any future take-back or recycling programs.
The platform is built from two recyclable mono-material subassemblies, designed for high-volume automated disassembly and efficient material recovery. This makes it ready for closed-loop recycling as soon as take-back systems are in place.
YpsoLoop® also advances usability. ClickGuide® provides continuous acoustic cues during injection, extending intuitive holding time and reducing the risk of incomplete injections. An ergonomic cap for easy grip, a clear dose window, and a needle-concealing design support confidence and adherence across diverse patient groups.
For pharmaceutical partners, YpsoLoop® integrates seamlessly into existing YpsoMate® fill-finish and final-assembly infrastructure, protecting prior investments while aligning with rising ESG expectations.
Category: Delivery and device innovation
SmartDose™ — Redefining Precision in Granule Dosing, from Abbott Healthcare.
SmartDose™ is a breakthrough smart dosing system designed for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) such as Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease. It replaces traditional fixed-dose sachets with a precision-engineered, metered multidose dispenser, enabling accurate titration of mesalamine granules in 500 mg increments.
Patient-Centric Innovation: Developed from deep patient and physician insights to address dosing errors, inconvenience, and poor adherence.
Precision & Flexibility: Each click delivers 500 mg with ±2% accuracy, allowing personalized dosing and simplified instructions.
Sustainability: Recyclable glass bottle replaces ~30 sachets, reducing packaging waste by over 60%.
Improved Compliance
Impact & Scalability
First-of-its-kind patented dosing system for mesalamine granules. Modular platform adaptable for other granule or powder-based therapies. Validated outcomes include >95% dose accuracy and ~40% reduction in medication prep time.
Category: Packaging innovation
MEADOW KAPSUL™ packaging technology, from Meadow.
With new EU and North American regulations, brands are rethinking packaging sustainability by adopting refill and returnable systems. Yet, there is a gap between consumer intention and action. The added inconvenience of both at home and in-store refilling solutions presents additional barriers to the widespread adoption of sustainable practices by consumers.
The MEADOW KAPSUL™ packaging system offers a simple, ready-to-use solution: users just insert a pre-filled can into the dispenser for quick, spill-free replacement, avoiding contamination and hassle. These cans use existing metal recycling infrastructure, with aluminum achieving a global average of 75% recycling rate and returning to shelves in about 60 days.
