SCHOTT Pharma Cartridges Glass cartridge portfolio for the accurate dosing of self-administered drugs
Contact UsHigh quality glass cartridges for parenteral applications
Robust, reliable, and compatible with a wide range of devices, SCHOTT Pharma’s pharmaceutical cartridges dispense drugs in exceptionally accurate doses in any medical situation.From treating patients in need of emergency medication to self-administration by diabetes patients, they offer safe and simple drug delivery. The portfolio is also compatible with the major pen and auto-injector platforms and wearable device systems.
Our versatile glass cartridge portfolio offers a stable solution for drug container and closure systems, ensuring stability over a drug’s entire shelf life. SCHOTT Pharma’s pharmaceutical cartridges enable efficient, fast, and flexible processing on a wide range of fill-and-finish lines thanks to their ready-to-use option and tight dimensional geometries.
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High quality pharmaceutical cartridges with tight geometries
SCHOTT Pharma's glass cartridges are available in two quality levels: StandardLine and TopLine. Both feature tight geometries thanks to 100% camera inspection, but are distinguished by their cosmetic quality. TopLine cartridges offer tighter and more customizable Accepted Quality Levels (AQL) for dimension and cosmetic defects. In contrast, StandardLine cartridges offer standard AQLs according to the current Defect Evaluation List (DEL).
Drug stability and accurate dosage
As all SCHOTT Pharma pharmaceutical cartridges are made of FIOLAX® Type I Borosilicate Glass, they have excellent extractables and leachables profiles. Tight inner tolerances ensure container closure integrity (CCI) of your plunger stoppers, while an optimized shoulder shape aids accurate medication dosage.
Dedicated to performance
Extremely tight dimensions, superior break resistance, and excellent surface quality of these glass cartridges result in advanced processing capability and reliable device compatibility, delivering what matters most: patient safety.
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Dr. Robert Lindner
Product Manager Bulk & Sterile Solutions
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
A pharmaceutical cartridge is a prefillable container made of glass or polymer, designed to store and administer a precise dose of medication. It serves as a hybrid between a vial and a syringe, combining the storage capabilities of a vial with the delivery functionality of a syringe. Cartridges are used in injection devices such as pens, autoinjectors, and wearable systems, enabling safe, accurate, and convenient drug delivery. They support single fixed and multiple variable doses, making them suitable for various treatments - from emergency medications to self-administration by diabetes patients.
SCHOTT Pharma’s pharmaceutical cartridges offer a combination of precision, safety, and compatibility. Made from high-quality FIOLAX® Type I Borosilicate Glass, they ensure excellent drug stability and minimal interaction with the drug. Their tight dimensional tolerances support accurate dosing, which is essential for insulin or hormone treatments. Moreover, SCHOTT Pharma’s pharmaceutical cartridges are designed for seamless integration into a wide range of injection devices. They can come in an optional ready-to-use format that streamlines processing and reduces handling risks.
Yes, pharmaceutical cartridges are generally safe when used correctly and tested thoroughly. SCHOTT Pharma cartridges, for example, have been a proven solution for drug containment and delivery for several decades. While it is ultimately the responsibility of pharmaceutical companies to ensure safety through rigorous testing, SCHOTT Pharma supports this by conducting extensive pre-tests to help guarantee a high level of general safety from the start.
SCHOTT Pharma’s pharmaceutical cartridges ensure drug stability by using FIOLAX® Type I or FIOLAX® CHR Type I Borosilicate Glass, which offers excellent chemical resistance and minimizes interaction with the drug. Their baked-on siliconization process further reduces the risk of contamination from free silicone particles. Combined with tight manufacturing tolerances and the availability of sterile, ready-to-use formats, these features help maintain sensitive medications' integrity and shelf life.
SCHOTT Pharma offers a wide range of cartridge sizes, from small volumes such as 1.5 ml to larger capacities like 20 ml, all compliant with ISO standards.
The following ISO sizes are available in our portfolio:
- 1.5 ml
- 3 ml
- 5 ml
- 10 ml
- 20 ml
This flexibility allows pharmaceutical companies to choose the optimal container for their drug formulation and device requirements.
- 1.5 ml
- 3 ml
- 5 ml
- 10 ml
- 20 ml
This flexibility allows pharmaceutical companies to choose the optimal container for their drug formulation and device requirements.
We offer extensive customization options, including sizes, glass or polymer materials, and closure systems. These options help pharmaceutical companies ensure optimal performance, compatibility with specific drug formulations, and seamless integration into drug delivery devices.
Glass cartridges, such as those made from Type I Borosilicate Glass, offer excellent chemical resistance and long-term stability, making them ideal for sensitive biologics. Polymer cartridges, on the other hand, provide lightweight and break-resistant solutions for specific drug delivery needs. The ideal material depends heavily on the type of application.
Yes. SCHOTT Pharma’s cartridges are compliant with global pharmacopeia requirements (USP, EP, JP) as well as FDA and EMA regulations. We follow stringent quality protocols and validation processes to ensure each cartridge is ready for use in regulated markets worldwide.
Our cartridges undergo rigorous dimensional checks, cosmetic inspections, mechanical strength tests, and container closure integrity testing. This ensures consistent quality, device compatibility, and patient safety.
Cartridge-based delivery systems are suitable for a wide range of drug types, especially those requiring precise dosing, frequent self-administration, or emergency use. These include:
- Biologics, such as insulin, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and monoclonal antibodies
- Hormone therapies, like growth hormones or fertility treatments
- Emergency medications, including epinephrine for anaphylaxis
- Pain management drugs, especially in wearable or on-demand devicesVaccines and cell/gene therapies, when stability and sterility are critical
- Dental anaesthetics, like lidocain
- Biologics, such as insulin, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and monoclonal antibodies
- Hormone therapies, like growth hormones or fertility treatments
- Emergency medications, including epinephrine for anaphylaxis
- Pain management drugs, especially in wearable or on-demand devicesVaccines and cell/gene therapies, when stability and sterility are critical
- Dental anaesthetics, like lidocain
Cartridges support self-administration and emergency use by offering a safe, reliable, and easy-to-handle format for injectable drugs. Their design seamlessly fits into pen and autoinjectors, allowing patients to administer their medication independently at home. Cartridges can be integrated into robust, break-resistant devices that deliver fast and accurate doses when time is critical. Their consistent performance and compatibility with wearable and safety devices make them ideal for urgent care scenarios.
SCHOTT Pharma has introduced several innovations in cartridge technology to improve drug delivery and patient experience. These include the first ISO-compliant, ready-to-use polymer cartridges, which offer high break resistance and compatibility with sensitive biologics. They've also developed large-volume sterile glass cartridges for wearable devices, enabling self-administration of biologics up to 10 ml. Additionally, SCHOTT Pharma’s diamond-shaped nest design boosts fill-and-finish efficiency and reduces CO₂ emissions, supporting performance and sustainability.
Lead times vary depending on the order size, customization requirements, and regulatory documentation needs. Our sales team works closely with customers to ensure timely delivery matches their production schedules.