Scientists Grow Esophageal Tissue in the Lab

Researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center used pluripotent stem cells to grow human esophageal “organoids.”

Oct 8th, 2018

Esophagus / Image: Future Timeline

Esophagus / Image: Future Timeline

There are a number of diseases that can affect the functionality of the esophagus, the muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach, including esophageal atresia, esophageal cancer, and achalasia. It goes without saying that a poorly functioning esophagus is extremely problematic, and even lethal. A recent Future Timeline article contained good news for sufferers of the aforementioned ailments: we can now generate esophageal cells.

In another stem cell breakthrough, scientists at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center have used pluripotent stem cells to grow mini versions of human esophagi, a process that takes roughly two months. They believe this is an important step toward improving the survival rate of esophageal cancer, which is currently just 23%.

Susosu mineral water infused with molecular hydrogen is packaged in a 300-mL multilayer aluminum pouch with gussets.

Hydrogen Water Potency Preserved with Aluminum Pouch

Unique gusseted aluminum stand-up pouch format keeps hydrogen atoms inside, preserving the antioxidant, energy-boosting, and anti-inflammation properties of the water.

Corning developed Valor Glass for vials designed to be more resistant to damage than conventional glass.

Study: Automatic Inspection for Lyophilized Drug Products in Valor Vials

Companies partnered to test whether the new vial material would present obstacles to proper inspection for pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Screen Shot 2020 07 31 At 12 42 00 Pm

HCP Editors Talk: COVID-19 and Manufacturing

In this episode, we discuss concerns about cybersecurity, disaster prep, and using automation to work toward manufacturing a vaccine.

Medical Vials Cold Chain

ISTA Pharma Committee Virtual Roundtable Discussions: Aug. 11 and 25

As a follow up to the open meeting held in June, the ISTA Pharma Committee will host two roundtable discussions in August to discuss in-depth the top two topics of interest from the industry survey.

Pandemic Cancels In-Person PACK EXPO International

PMMI Media Group launches new live, web-based event: PACK EXPO Connects 2020.

FDA Guidance: Expiration Dating of Unit-Dose Repackaged Solid Oral Dosage Form Drug Products

A new 4-page guidance from FDA comes on the heels of an increase in repackaging drugs for administration as a single dose.

Getty Images Resized

Hand Sanitizer Spike Here to Stay

U.K. co-packers’ association reports that inquiries for personal care items rocketed by more than 500% shortly after the coronavirus lockdown was implemented.

Monique Sprueill of Johnson & Johnson addresses supply chain management for ATMPs.

Innovative Therapies Demand Data and Risk Management in Supply Chain

Gene and cell therapies delivered to patients struggling for their lives further complicate an already complicated supply chain. Data and analytics throughout the process are essential to maintaining the integrity needed.

Screen Shot 2020 07 28 At 2 44 16 Pm

2020 Healthcare Package Design Gallery

Months and years go into designing an over-the-counter package to ensure the consumer can safely use it, often in mere seconds.

The Cobot Expo will take place online July 28-30.

Cobot Deployment Shines in COVID-19 Pandemic

Leading up to its virtual Cobot Expo this week, Universal Robots highlighted several cases where small companies have been using collaborative automation to keep production going amid the crisis.

The future of manufacturing can't be imagined in a present-forward mindset. Innovation comes from the future-back.

Reverse Engineering the Organization

A new book reveals how “future-back” thinking—defining what the company will look like decades from now and working backwards—can encourage innovative ideas that will create breakthrough growth.

Study Evaluates Benefits of Atmosphere Control in Blisters

Companies partnered to (1) compare the efficacy of Activ-Blister packaging configurations with cold-form foil in maintaining the stability of a model tableted drug product and (2) compare results to an Accelerated Stability Assessment Program study.

Climate Change Interest Isn’t Ideology, It’s Economics

Economics is the new driver of climate change initiatives, according to Reusable Packaging Association. Attention to packaging selection and management can not only help reduce negative sustainability impacts, but also create new value streams.

Med Devices and the FDA: Extended Deadline, Worker Safety

In extending UDI compliance dates for low-risk products, FDA cited challenges related to COVID-19. CDRH also issued recommendations for personnel safety in med device manufacturing.

Getty Images 10134048 Small

Packaging Pros Bullish on Security & Salary Despite Uncertainty

Packaging seems insulated from much of the economic fallout of COVID-19, though not everyone is fairing equally. Women, for instance, seem to be entering the industry, and soon should be matriculating into higher salaried positions left by retiring men.

Moxie uses cardstock for its MX line of live resin products.

Moxie Cannabis Makes Move from Plastic to Paper—at a Cost

Company replaces plastic and paper sleeves for its range of cannabis products with more costly FSC-certified, chlorine-free paper, as part of its vision to become the first fully-integrated, carbon-negative cannabis company.

Sm Graphic Sookne

Healthcare Counterfeiters Flourish During COVID-19

Healthcare Packaging's Keren Sookne makes her unPACKed with PMMI debut with PPE shortages, the potential for a vaccine and fake COVID-19 tests dominating the mainstream news.

Pearlcbd Productset fw

CBD Line Uses NFC for Consumer Trust, Education

Intelligent packaging brings transparency to a crowded industry, offering education often missing in the CBD and cannabis sector.

Getty Images 900589682

Cannabis Branding - an Uphill Battle?

Between the fight for precious retail shelf space, and a consumer selection process that is based mostly on cost and quality, cannabis brand loyalty may be a struggle to find.

Arnaud Dumas de Rauly, co-Founder and CEO of The Blinc Group, addressed the virtual crowd at MJBizConNEXT Direct.

6 Considerations for Automating Cannabis Filling

From maintenance and certification to new data technologies, there’s a lot to think about when purchasing filling and capping equipment.

More in Home

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.

Regular Compact Cotton Icecream Gj Copy

Tampons in an Ice Cream Pint Make a Whimsical Statement

Feminine care company Rael launches a unique recyclable carton in stores and online.

Screen Shot 2020 06 29 At 5 39 26 Pm

Packaging Robotics Playbook

This new playbook from Packaging World showcases the trends, case studies, and how-to tips to help you make the best possible robot purchasing and application decisions for your operation.

Getty Images 1166343970

Recycling Takes Another Hit During Pandemic, Part II

The Coronavirus pandemic is creating a growing waste crisis even as we see images of the earth’s environment clearing from less pollution. A few months into the crisis, and the numbers are staggering.

Op X Horizontal

Virtual FAT Guidelines from OpX

The OpX Leadership Network releases best practices and leadership guidelines for executing virtual factory acceptance tests (vFATs), to address the changing operational landscape brought on by COVID-19.

Labs 131 Instron

Ready-to-Use and Development Services Grow with Injectables Market

Challenges around injectable products include regulatory requirements, pricing pressures, and an increasingly complex industry landscape.

Getty Images 116406615

Q&A: MIT Operations Researcher Talks COVID-19 Vaccination Hurdles

An expert discusses some of the environmental, research, and packaging concerns in supplying populations with a COVID-19 vaccine.

FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn

New FDA Insight Podcast on Emerging Topics

First guest: FDA commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn on fighting COVID-19 at FDA.

Medical Devices Blue

Proposed Medical Devices Standard Will Help Validate Cleaning Methods

The goal of the proposed standard is to help medical device manufacturers, testing laboratories, and regulatory bodies identify the appropriate method(s) for evaluating whether a medical device can be adequately cleaned.

The MyKirei by Kao line debuted in April, with the first phase offering three products: Nourishing Shampoo, Conditioner, and Hand Wash.

AIR Bottle for Personal Care Line Reduces Plastic by 50%

New personal care line, MyKirei by Kao, reflects the company’s Kirei, or ‘beautiful,’ Lifestyle Plan, with sustainable packaging that uses two pouches to create a ‘revolutionary’ rigid bottle.

The GKF 2600, which was developed for the high-performance range, achieves an output of more than 110,000 capsules per hour with capsule size 00.

Pharma Contract Manufacturer Expands Large Batch Production to 110,000 Capsules Per Hour

Wiewelhove expands capsule filling line, enabling the company to fill pellets into capsules with the GKF 2600 from Syntegon Technology. Collaboration on special requests led to a smooth implementation.

Gary Lerner, president at Gateway Checker Corporation, presented at GS1 Connect.

3 EPCIS Data Exchange Issues in Pharma Traceability

Conformance testing services have emerged to cut down on wasted back-and-forth between manufacturers and trading partners to get efficient data exchange up and running.