Sterile large-volume cartridges for subcutaneous injections
Enabling self-administration of large-volume biologics with sterile cartridges
Large-volume subcutaneous (SC) injections of biological drugs are leading the way for innovative treatments of cancer and autoimmune disorders, as well as cardiovascular and central nervous system diseases.1 The high dosage of these drugs drives the need for large volumes, since such high concentrations result in too-high viscosities, making intravenous administration in hospital settings the preferred method. However, due to the large doses involved, drug administration could take between ten minutes and half an hour.With the advent of innovative drug formulation technologies such as the use of hyaluronidase, the human body can now absorb larger volumes of medication more quickly, with a tolerable amount of skin swelling or tension pain. This development paves the way for large-volume subcutaneous administration at home, which benefits patients and the healthcare system by reducing care time. To achieve this, new delivery devices, including primary packaging, must be developed to mitigate the risks associated with launching large-volume biologics, ensure a rapid time-to-market for new drug formulations, and prioritize patient safety and convenience.
1Andreas Schneider, Reto Jost, Christoph Jordi & Jakob Lange (2023): Autoinjectors for large-volume subcutaneous drug delivery: a review of current research and future directions, Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2023.2219891
Are you ready for large-volume biologics in sterile cartridges?
With a proven track record in the self-administration of small volumes of drugs via pen injectors, sterile large-volume cartridges present the ideal solution for larger volumes of high-viscosity drug formulations. They offer a stable option for biologics and are highly compatible with wearable devices, pen injectors, and autoinjectors.Packaged in the pre-sterilized and pre-washed SCHOTT iQ® nest and tub configuration, cartriQ® Large Volume cartridges offer minimized particle load and container breakage, and undergo validated in-house steam sterilization. Their innovative nest design offers unprecedented stability during the filling process, superior stiffness, and excellent packaging density. ISO-compliant and compatible with the major machine vendors, these cartridges ensure optimal machine performance.
Seamless integration of cartriQ® for optimal performance
The ISO-standardized cartriQ® Large Volume is available in 5 ml format for pen and autoinjector devices or a 10 ml format for wearable devices. cartriQ® 5 ml bridges the gap between cartridge-based autoinjectors typically used for smaller volumes up to 3 ml and large-volume patch pump systems starting from 5 ml.Compatible with
Maggie® 5.0
cartriQ® 5 ml has been co-developed and pre-tested with the Maggie® 5.0 autoinjector from SHL Medical, accelerating time-to-market for pharmaceutical companies. The performance flexibility of cartriQ® 5 ml when paired with the ‘Needle Isolation Technology’ from SHL enables swift and efficient adjustment of the cannula and injection times. This independence between the components is crucial in meeting diverse patient needs and enhancing the overall user experience.
High drug stability
Designed for drug volumes between
3 - 7 ml, the 5 ml cartriQ® sterile large-volume cartridge for device integration offers outstanding stability for sensitive biologics. Made from SCHOTT FIOLAX® Type I Borosilicate Glass, it provides excellent chemical resistance and low interaction with drug formulations. Its advanced siliconization minimizes free silicone, supporting consistent and reliable performance in wearable injection systems.
Partnering for success with SCHOTT Pharma
SCHOTT Pharma provides a comprehensive analytical testing suite to streamline packaging-related testing during clinical trials and drug submission. Through PartnerLab, we offer a wide range of testing services to meet the diverse and stringent requirements of drug product packaging and interaction testing. PartnerLab streamlines your testing process, accelerates your market submission, and elevates the assurance of your product’s quality and safety. We also offer troubleshooting support during critical times.Additionally, our fill-and-finish services ensure smooth early-stage sample filling for initial testing. To support long-term success, we offer filling line compatibility verification, including assessments of your specific line and efficiency optimization. In addition, we ensure the global regulatory availability of our containment solutions in compliance with evolving international norms and standards, as well as country-specific laws and guidelines for a fast time-to-market.