SCHOTT Pharma launches ready-to-use polymer cartridge

As the biologics market continues to expand, fueled by breakthroughs such as cell and gene therapies, drug developers face increasing demand for safe, patient-friendly delivery and administration solutions. These must ensure drug stability, support high-volume administration, and offer broad device compatibility. To meet these needs, SCHOTT Pharma has developed its first RTU polymer cartridge made from Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC), featuring a homogenous, cross-linked siliconization layer.

The inert surface minimizes protein adsorption, provides low levels of extractable and leachables, and ensures consistent break-loose and gliding forces throughout the product’s shelf life. This makes the cartridge an excellent choice for highly sensitive proteins, viscous drugs, and emergency medications. The polymer cartridge delivers functional performance comparable to glass, with added break resistance.

High-precision manufacturing for seamless integration

Produced using advanced injection molding technology, the SCHOTT TOPPAC® cartridge offers exceptional dimensional accuracy and allows for customization. Two key features stand out: an overfill geometry that helps reduce variability in fill volumes, thereby minimizing drug waste for high-value formulations, and tight tolerances in the cone and flange areas, which enhance adaptability to a wide range of injection devices. Through close collaboration with leading device manufacturers, SCHOTT Pharma ensures optimal compatibility for pen-based delivery systems. Moreover, X-ray sterilization eliminates the risk of ethylene oxide (EtO) residues.

Proven expertise and scalable infrastructure

The SCHOTT TOPPAC® cartridge benefits from decades of experience and performance data gathered from the company’s established SCHOTT TOPPAC® product family. As the world’s largest manufacturer of prefillable polymer syringes made from COC, SCHOTT Pharma has supported the approval of over 80 drugs, including four blockbusters, using its polymer platform over the past 20 years.

This innovation builds on that experience and is further backed by the industry's most comprehensive cartriQ® ready-to-use glass cartridge portfolio, enabling the company to rapidly scale polymer cartridge production as demand grows.

By offering both polymer and glass options, SCHOTT Pharma provides a robust and versatile cartridge portfolio that supports a wide range of technical and commercial needs in biologics development.

The polymer cartridge is manufactured in St. Gallen, Switzerland, with the flexibility to expand production to other European sites. It is currently available in 1.5 ml, 3 ml, and 5 ml formats, with a 10 ml version in development. The cartridge is compatible with all major fill-and-finish lines, paving the way for a fast and low-risk path to market.

About SCHOTT Pharma

Human health matters. That is why SCHOTT Pharma designs solutions grounded in science to ensure that medications are safe and easy to use for people around the world. Every minute, more than 25,000 people receive an injection packed in a SCHOTT Pharma product. The portfolio comprises drug containment solutions and delivery systems for injectable drugs ranging from prefillable glass and polymer syringes to cartridges, vials, and ampoules. Every day, a team of around 4,700 people from over 60 nations works at SCHOTT Pharma to contribute to global healthcare. The company is represented in all main pharmaceutical hubs with 17 manufacturing sites in Europe, North and South America, and Asia. With over 1,000 patents and technologies developed in-house and a state-of-the-art R&D center in Switzerland, the company is focused on developing innovations for the future. SCHOTT Pharma AG & Co. KGaA is headquartered in Mainz, Germany and listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as part of the SDAX. It is majority owned by SCHOTT AG, which is owned by the Carl Zeiss Foundation. In light of this spirit, SCHOTT Pharma is committed to sustainable development for society and the environment. Currently, SCHOTT Pharma has over 1,800 customers including the top 30 leading pharma manufacturers for injectable drugs and generated revenue of EUR 957 million in the fiscal year 2024. Further information at www.schott-pharma.com