See What’s Possible in Life Sciences Packaging @ PACK EXPO International
2,600 exhibitors. 150+ free educational sessions. See packaging solutions for life sciences & more @ PACK EXPO International, Oct 18-21 in Chicago
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Joe Darrah

Joe Darrah Headshot

Joe Darrah is an award-winning freelance journalist based in the Philadelphia region who covers a variety of topics, including healthcare and medical technology, across all multimedia. He has been published in more than 40 publications.

Case packing & Palletizing
Through the Line Podcast: As Robots Get Smarter, Integration Becomes the Bottleneck
As robots grow more capable, what does it take for manufacturers to integrate and optimize them successfully?
July 10, 2026
Through the Line: Packaging and Processing
Robotics/Automation
Robots Are Getting Smarter—But Is the Industry Ready to Integrate Them?
As autonomous and versatile robots become more sophisticated, today’s machines are evolving from task-oriented capabilities to smarter systems.
May 22, 2026
The Emulate3D tool is a key component of URC digital twin and virtual simulation software that is used to design, simulate, and virtually commission robot cells before they are physically installed for opportunities to test designs of automated systems offline earlier in the project lifecycle.
Logistics & cold chain packaging
Through the Line Podcast: Transitioning Toward Ultra-Low and Cryogenic Temperatures for Advanced Therapies
Advanced and personalized therapies are pushing the industry beyond traditional cold chain methods toward safer phase change materials and direct-to-consumer capabilities. To ensure sustainability, transparency, and patient safety, companies are adopting recyclable packaging, reusable shipping solutions, and real-time digital monitoring with predictive AI to build a smarter, zero-error supply chain for sensitive biological products.
April 3, 2026
Through the Line: Packaging and Processing
Sustainability
Beyond Plastic: Innovators Reimagine the Prescription Bottle
Two startups are collaborating with pharmacies to distribute recyclable pill bottles that reduce healthcare’s single use of plastics.
March 25, 2026
Pillumina, a startup based in San Mateo, CA, started with the goal of developing an aluminum-based solution for single-use plastic prescription bottles
Nutraceuticals/Dietary
Through the Line Podcast: Graasi Offers Insights Into Responsible Manufacturing and Clean Labeling
Listen in as HCP contributing editor Joe Darrah sits down with Chris LaCorata, founder and chief executive officer of Graasi, a nutraceutical company with a mission for wellness and responsible manufacturing. LaCorata brings deep expertise in building high-performance teams and sustainable operations. A lifelong advocate for U.S.-based production, he launched Graasi to merge his passion for wellness, functional beverages, and revitalizing small-town economies.
February 6, 2026
Through the Line: Packaging and Processing
Labeling/Printing
Packaging’s Pathway to Digital Printing Transformation in Life Sciences
As evidence supporting the benefits of migrating from legacy print to digital continues to mount, manufacturers can set a baseline for how to establish these comprehensive services.
January 19, 2026
The K600G is a high-resolution digital printing system developed for high-speed serialized coding for packaging such as labels, medical-grade paper, and blister foils.
Temp Control/Cold Chain
Packaging & Distributing Pharma Products Along The “Colder” Chain
Logistical management of the cold chain has constantly evolved. How are today’s companies providing a “future-ready” environment? 
January 14, 2026
Baseline controlled room temperature ranges from 15°C to 25°C and is the standard defined by the United States Pharmacopeia for proper storage of pharmaceuticals and other sensitive medical products.
Adherence/Delivery
Through the Line Podcast: Smart Packaging Evolves Security and Connectivity
Integrating tools that will satisfy regulatory requirements while addressing clinical needs is helping to keep patients more connected with products. These tools provide patients with instant access to product information and authentication, while simultaneously enabling the capture of real-time usage data to monitor and track adherence.
January 9, 2026
Through the Line: Packaging and Processing
Medical Devices
Top 10 Articles of 2025, #7: How to Navigate The Sterilization Transition
#7 most-read article: As the healthcare industry continues to move away from ethylene oxide for the safety of people and the planet, challenges are testing the collective resolve.
December 25, 2025
While some promise has been seen in the development of new sterilization modalities, there’s concern about how the cumulative fallout will affect business and patient safety.
Traceability/Serialization
Through the Line Podcast: Top Episodes of 2025, #3: Tracing the Tracks of the Drug and Medical Device Trail
The number 3 most downloaded episode: One continuously developing tactic to prevent and detect counterfeits and other types of fraud in the medical device space is the ability to track and trace products through serialization. By linking the drug code, filling batch, timestamps, and other relevant data with a CUID, full container traceability is achieved.
December 19, 2025
Through the Line: Packaging and Processing
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