License adds anti-counterfeiting tech to ATL pharma labels

09-Aug-2010 - Last updated on 12-Aug-2010 at 11:46 GMT

Label manufacturer ATL has licensed anti-counterfeiting technologies from Document Security Systems (DSS) to meet growing demand from pharma clients.

In a two-year, non-exclusive US deal ATL has licensed the AuthentiGuard suite of optical anti-counterfeit technologies. ATL will incorporate some of these features, primarily the Bar Code Barricade, into its pharma label production operations.

Donald Dobert, president of ATL, said the deal will allow the company “to meet the growing demand for print security”. The deal makes ATL “DSS’ label implementation arm” and expands the service it can offer its growing list of pharma clients, which includes some major players.

DSS already operates in-house secure packaging and printing operations. “Adding a quality secure label manufacturer like ATL…completes us as a full provider of technologically secure printed substrates”, said Patrick White, CEO of DSS.

In addition to its labelling capabilities, ATL also brings pharma-specific expertise to DSS. White said the “significant agreement” gives DSS “new 'feet on the street' and a commanding sales presence in the critical pharmaceutical label industry”.

The importance of pharma firms to DSS has been increased because of shifts in the industry, which resulted in the sector being “focused like never before on issues of anti-counterfeiting and security".

DSS inks Walgreens deal

Premier Packaging, a subsidiary of DSS, has also won an annual packaging order contract worth $2.7m (€2.1m) from Walgreens, a US-based pharmacy. The deal is due to run until July 2011 and there are additional opportunities for non-contract work.

“Despite significant competitive pressures for this order, our ability to deliver outstanding quality and service at extremely competitive pricing was the key for Premier in winning this order", said Robert Bzdick, chief operating officer at DSS.