Gerresheimer adds prefilled syringe lines, says bulk syringe market static
Supplementing the three existing lines for Ready-To-Fill (RTF) syringes at its Bünde plant in Germany, the latest production line is intended for completion in 2012.
“The new fourth line will be of the latest generation and will have several features which will further increase the high level of quality and productivity we already have with the three existing RTF lines”, Jens Kuerten, Director Corporate Communication & Marketing, told In-PharmaTechnologist.
“Pre-Filled syringes are the preferred drug delivery system for a lot of applications like the growing demand for vaccines, biotech drugs and others. They are easier to use, more secure and better included in the filling processes.”
Explaining the reasons behind Gerresheimer’s decision to invest, Kuerten added that: “the market for standard bulk syringes is not growing anymore.”
“All market research predicts a global double-digit growth for prefilled syringes for the years to come,” said Kuerten, adding that: "we are investing in this fast-growing market again to consolidate our global market position further"
The company will be investing around EUR 20 million to add an annual capacity of up to 120 million syringes.
“Our plant in Bünde is our Syringe Competence Center. We have produced syringes since 1981 and RTF syringes since 2002. Therefore Bünde is the ideal platform with it's longterm know-how and expertise for the further expansion of Gerresheimer in the prefilled syringes market,” Kuerten contined.
Prefilled syringes are said to benefit patient compliance and product differentiation, targeting growth in key therapeutic markets for diseases like diabetes and cancer as well as the need for hygiene and accuracy.
