Quick Hits: Monthly Birth Control Pill is on the Horizon

A new form of birth control developed at MIT releases a steady drip of contraceptive hormones over the period of a month.

Dec 20th, 2019

Monthly Birth Control

Monthly Birth Control

Douglas Sacha

It seems that the latest developments in birth control have been geared toward men, but a recent WIRED article discussed a new contraceptive pill for women that’s taken monthly. The pill consists of a six-armed flexible silicone star folded up into a cylindrical pill. Scientists at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and MIT came up with the slow-release design five years ago to protect drugs against the harsh, acidic environment of the stomach. Now, they’ve loaded it with contraceptive hormones that deploy over the course of a month.

When ingested, the capsule dissolves and the silicone arms stretch out into a starfish shape that’s wide enough to prevent it from passing through the pylorus to the intestines, keeping it in the stomach. The pill breaks down naturally in the stomach and loses arms, allowing it to pass through the digestive tract around the 21-day mark. The new method was successfully tested on pig, and will likely begin human testing in 2021. Earlier this year, Lyndra Therapeutics received $13 million from the Gates Foundation to advance the pill to human trials with a goal of bringing it to low- and middle-income countries.

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Using Automation to Fast Track COVID-19 Vaccine Production

Honeywell combines batch software, virtualization, cloud, and more to prepare manufacturing capabilities in parallel with clinical trials.

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Voice of the Packaging Industry: Sustainable Packaging

Sixty CPGs were interviewed for a new sustainability report by PMMI Business Intelligence. They had much to say about machines, materials, new formats and sustainable initiatives, as well as what they need from suppliers.

Reusable Packaging and Hygiene

The latest article from The Inner Loop, the Reusable Packaging Association's blog which explores the impact of reusable packaging on our planet - and our lives.

The wearable Kinexon SafeTag warns the user, audibly and visually, when the physical distance with another employee has been compromised.

Technology Steps Forward for Social Distancing

As more manufacturers are allowed to resume production amid the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping their workers distanced will be key to keeping them healthy. Here are some innovations to help achieve that.

Ista 348 Notag Nomarks

Open ISTA Pharma Committee Meeting

Virtual meeting to be held Wednesday, Jun 10 from 11:00am - 1:00pm EST.

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Sustainability in Secondary Packaging Lines

Secondary packaging lines need greater precision when handling materials with variances in content and weight, according to a new report by PMMI Business Intelligence.

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Human Factors Expert Interprets Nurses’ Wishes

Whether in the healthcare setting or the home, an end user may desire one packaging feature, but actually need another.

Packaging Post-Pandemic

Nobody can measure with any real accuracy what impact Covid-19 will have on packaging. But what packaging professional wouldn’t value a glimpse into how things might look post-pandemic, especially if that glimpse comes from an experienced veteran?

Looking Ahead to New Packaging Material Innovation

Packaging engineers and product developers must work together to create new sustainable initiatives in packaging material innovation.

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) in the UK now carries blood supplies on board its helicopters and Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs).

Transport Bag Offers Pre-Hospital Blood Protection on Air Ambulances

Air ambulance operations manager: “The decision to start carrying blood products on board our helicopters and RRVs was a major one for the charity, one which has significantly improved the care that can be delivered to patients.”

Along with a new focus on function, Ethan’s has changed the color of each bottle to reflect the shots’ unique flavors and primary ingredients.

Function-Focused Rebrand for Wellness Shots

Organic energy shot company Ethan’s redesigns the labels for its 2-oz shots to clearly convey the occasion of use for each as well as emphasize the flavor and ingredient profiles.

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Economic Outlook: 2020 and Beyond

Discussing the current economic outlook amidst a “double black swan event,” Alex Chausovsky of ITR Economics presented “Guidance in an Uncertain Economy” last week as part of PMMI’s Executive Leadership Conference.

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Research Highlights Two in Five Hospitals Lack Formal Drug Diversion Programs

According to the study on drug diversion in the U.S., almost 9 in 10 healthcare professionals say they have met or know someone who has diverted drugs.

BIC North America will be producing 2,000 medical-grade face shields per day at its factory in Milford, Conn.

BIC Uses Plastic Packaging Materials to Produce PPE

Global CPG BIC gears up to produce 2,000 medical-grade face shields per day at its Connecticut facility, using plastic packaging materials and scrap plastic from its lighter products.

At-Home Saliva Test

Quick Hits: FDA OKs First At-Home Saliva Test for COVID-19

The FDA issued an emergency use authorization for the diagnostic test.

Schreiner MediPharm’s Booklet-Label for the needle protection system used by Sanofi in a clinical trial encompasses 32 pages.

Sanofi Clinical Trial Benefits from Compact, Multi-Lingual Booklet Label

Specialty Label for Needle Protection System in International Phase III Trial.

The slim, e-com shipper comprises a hinged tray fitted with movable inner trays that securely hold the bottle and product literature.

Smart Supplement Shipper is Letterbox-Friendly, Sustainable

Brain health company Heights launches its D2C supplement product in a unique bottle and shipper made from bio-based materials that together measure less than one inch deep.

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Healthcare Market Equipment Investments Poised for Growth in 2021

Personal care and pharmaceuticals /medical devices are two markets that, not surprisingly, are holding their own and even expecting growth during COVID-19.

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States Focus Legislation on Prescription Drug Costs

Though attention has turned to COVID-19, state legislatures were already pivoting away from last year’s opioid legislation to address drug prices—an issue that requires the Healthcare Distribution Alliance to engage across all 50 states.

Just like in this iceberg image, hidden operating costs can sink you. Total cost of ownership enables gathering better data and understanding for better informed decisions.

It’s All About the Cost, Not the Price

Just like all change management, total cost of ownership is a journey that has transformational results when successfully implemented.

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Machine Efficiency and the Impacts of Sustainable Packaging

Many primary packaging lines are no longer dedicated to a single product as SKUs increase, impacting line efficiency. Sustainable material changes may also create challenges.

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DSCSA and COVID-19

How is the pandemic response impacting the complex and evolving national traceability goals for pharmaceuticals?

Each & Every has rolled out a 2.5-oz deodorant tube made from bioplastic and a special black colorant that the company says can be detected by infrared scanners for recycling.

Sugarcane and Corn: ‘Ingredients Matter’ in New Deodorant Packaging

Vegan, cruelty-free deodorant from Each & Every introduces primary packaging made from sugarcane-based plastic and a corn-based bioplastic shipping envelope.

Quest for a Plastic Packaging Circular Economy

Eliminating unnecessary plastic, sustainable innovation, and circulating plastic within the economy are the three goals of more than 450 global partner companies seeking to keep plastic waste out of the environment.

Sustainable Package Reformatting on the Rise

According to a new report by PMMI Business Intelligence, over half of CPGs are changing product packaging to meet sustainability goals by moving from one format to another.

COVID-19 Symptom Throat Sensor

Quick Hits: New Throat Sensor Tracks COVID-19 Symptoms

Scientists at Northwestern have developed a small flexible device that tracks symptoms associated with the virus.

3D Printed Ear Guards

Quick Hits: Kid Invents Device to Prevent Ear Pain from Face Masks

A 12-year-old boy is 3D printing and donating “ear guards” to support healthcare workers on the frontlines.

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Redesign Reverses Course to Reflect Modern Women

Midol®, the venerable OTC menstrual relief brand from Bayer, underwent a striking packaging redesign, reversing course on existing iconography, typography, and messaging.

Quick Hits: Healthcare Workers Use VR to Learn Skills for Treating COVID patients

Health professionals with little to no experience in treating infectious disease are learning with virtual reality.

South Korean Doctors

Quick Hits: South Korea Says You Can’t Be Infected Twice

Scientists believe reported cases of coronavirus relapse were actually due to test failures.

Quick Hits: Roche Increases COVID-19 Antibody Test Output

The FDA granted emergency approval for the antibody test that determines whether people have been infected with coronavirus.

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Preparing the Supply Chain for a Coronavirus Vaccine

As we fight to “flatten the curve” of the coronavirus pandemic, scientists are urgently working to create a vaccine. Manufacturing and distributing hundreds of millions of doses when a vaccine is approved is yet another challenge to address.