“Syringes for ophthalmic injections must meet high standards in terms of compatibility, functionality and quality,” explains Stefan Verheyden, Global Vice President Biological Solutions and Syringes. “Our new syringe systems are suitable for a wide range of ophthalmic medications, allow precise injection of small volumes and have a low particle load due to the absence of silicone oil. This minimizes medical risks during treatment.”
Latest drug technology for eye diseases
According to the WHO, around 8 million people worldwide suffer from macular degeneration, an age-related retinal disease in which the central visual acuity of the eye is partially or completely lost. A further 3.9 million patients with diabetes mellitus experience eye damage due to a complication known as diabetic retinopathy1. In addition, there are genetic eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa, which affect around 1.5 million people worldwide2 and can now be treated using innovative, genetically engineered drugs, including RNAi-based approaches.
Prefillable glass and plastic syringes
Intravitreal injections and the special nature of ophthalmic drugs place high demands on the primary packaging of the drug and its administration. The Gx RTF syringes meet these requirements for high compatibility, functionality and quality to a particularly high degree, including requirements for drugs based on the latest technology. For chronic eye diseases, they have proven to be a superior option to the combination of injection vials and disposable draw-up syringes due to their highly precise dosage and user-friendly handling. They are especially preferred for the administration of antineovascular agents.
Gerresheimer’s ophthalmic syringe portfolio comprises configurations of glass and COP (cyclic olefin polymer). Both materials offer specific advantages for a variety of drugs that are used in the eye. The Gx RTF glass syringes and the Gx RTF ClearJect portfolio are now available in a silicone oil-free ophthalmic configuration.
Gx RTF ClearJect – high functionality and easy handling
COP is increasingly being used for ophthalmic syringes due to its excellent characteristics. The polymer is break-resistant and inert, so it does not react with the injection solution.
Gx RTF ClearJect syringes made of COP have an integrated Luerlock adapter that improves handling. Tighter tolerances in the production process reduce the dead volume in the syringe so that ophthalmic drugs can be dosed with high precision. Gx RTF ClearJect syringes are also free from tungsten, metal or adhesive residues and free from silicone oil residues. The resulting lower particle load reduces possible medical side effects. The Gx RTF ClearJect tips therefore offer excellent functionality for the storage and administration of highly sensitive ophthalmic drugs.
Gerresheimer at the CPHI Worldwide 2024 in Milan
Gerresheimer will be showcasing the new syringe systems as part of its overall portfolio at CPHI Worldwide from October 8 to 10, 2024 in Milan at booth 20B1.
Additional information on the new silicone oil-free syringe systems, including a detailed white paper on the critical features of prefillable syringes for ophthalmic applications, is available on our website.
Gx® and RTF® are registered trademarks of the Gerresheimer Group. ClearJect® is a trademark of Taisei Medical Co. Ltd.
About Gerresheimer
Gerresheimer is an innovative systems and solutions provider and a global partner to the pharma, biotech, and cosmetics industries. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of pharmaceutical containment solutions, drug delivery systems and medical devices as well as solutions for the health industry. The product range includes digital solutions for therapy support, medication pumps, syringes, pens, auto-injectors and inhalers as well as vials, ampoules, tablet containers, infusion, dropper and syrup bottles, and more. With 35 production sites in 16 countries in Europe, America and Asia, Gerresheimer has a global presence and produces locally for regional markets. With around 12,000 employees, the company generated revenues of around €2bn in 2023. Gerresheimer AG is listed in the MDAX on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN: DE000A0LD6E6).
Contact Gerresheimer
Marion Stolzenwald
Senior Manager Corporate Communication
T +49 1722424185
marion.stolzenwald-remove@remove-gerresheimer.com
Jutta Lorberg
Head of Corporate Communication
P +49 211 6181 264
jutta.lorberg-remove@remove-gerresheimer.com
