U.S. pharmaceutical firm orders auto injector production

Gerresheimer, a global partner to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, reports that a “leading” U.S. pharmaceutical company has commissioned Gerresheimer for the production of auto injectors. The drug is prescribed for the treatment of moderate to severe active psoriasis arthritis. Gerresheimer produces the plastic components at the Medical Plastic Systems division’s production site in Kuessnacht, Switzerland.

The auto injector consists of 14 plastic components and three metal parts. Gerresheimer produces the plastic components and joins them with the metal parts to create two sub-assemblies, which are assembled by the customer and loaded with the drug.

The production lines, made by Mikron, were supplied by the customer for reengineering and industrialization.

Gerresheimer developed and produced the required multicavity molds [into] a 650-sq-m, ISO class 8 cleanroom at the Kuessnacht site. Following the qualification of molds and lines, production started in Jan. 2013.

Psoriasis is a chronic illness that leads to inflammation and scaling of the skin. The causes of this disorder are complex and have not been researched conclusively. However, malfunction of the immune system has been identified as playing a major role. About one-third of psoriasis patients also suffer from psoriasis arthritis with swollen and aching joints. In severe cases, the affected joints are permanently changed or damaged. Psoriasis arthritis is commonly treated with the drug (active ingredient: Golimumab), which contains monoclonal antibodies that help control the malfunction of the immune system. Once a month, the drug is injected subcutaneously by patients using an auto injector.

Since 2007, Gerresheimer’s Medical Plastic Systems division became a global strategic partner for the customer. At present, Gerresheimer operates the large-scale production of medical plastic systems for customer’s device, diagnostics, and pharmaceutical divisions at five of its six production sites that cater to this area in Europe, the U.S., and in Asia.

The Technical Competence Centers in Wackersdorf , Germany, Peachtree City, U.S., and Dongguan, China also work in close cooperation with the customer. The TCCs act as partners for the entire process chain from development through to mold engineering, automation, and preparing the product for large-scale production.

For the customer, the integration of Gerresheimer’s expertise at an early stage means that envisaged budget is not exceeded, technical challenges involved in the manufacture of innovative products can be solved, critical quality-related aspects can be identified, and risks can be minimized.

In addition to the business unit Medical Plastic Systems, the customer also has business relations with Gerresheimer AG divisions such as Primary Packaging Glass and Plastic Packaging.