West and Carefusion team on needle-free drug reconstitution tech

The idea is to combine West’s vented vial adapter with Carefusion’s needle-free connector and closed male luer tech to create an access system that, the firms claim, will prevent leaks, reduce contamination risk and limit exposure.

The project, which is part of a five-year distribution and supply deal the firms signed last year, grants West rights to sell both of the techs to pharmas and contract manufacturing organisations (CMO) around the world.

Glen Zimmermann, a marketing director at West, told in-Pharmatechnologist.com that the key driver for the project is the market demand for reconstitution technologies offering improved safety for patients and healthcare professionals alike.

“There are a variety of techniques for drug reconstitution, mixing and transfer, from traditional needle removal and transfer, to chemo pins, to specialized systems and devices. Not all of these provide equal protection throughout the drug preparation to administration cycle.​

Zimmermann went on to predict that, based on the widespread use of the CareFusion’s technologies, “we expect to see the acceptance of the co-developed product to be very robust as hospitals continue to adopt systems for safe drug administration.”​

Drug potency requires greater safety​

He also forecast strong demand from pharmaceutical companies, which he said are becoming more and more interested in the safety benefits of ‘complete delivery systems’ as the potency of drugs increases.

“With many drugs being potentially dangerous, providing safe delivery systems can differentiate their products in the market.​

“Systems such as the CareFusion-West components are applicable for oncologic and cytotoxic drugs, anti-virals and for any drug where personal protection is required. Further, any drugs for which the cumulative effect of long-term exposure is unknown are also candidates​.”

Carefusion will hold exclusive worldwide rights to sell the new reconstitution system to hospitals, physicians and pharmacies. Development is expected to be completed later this year.