High-performance containment system selected by top biotech company.

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. announced that global biotechnology leader Amgen Inc. has utilized West’s Daikyo Crystal Zenith® (CZ) vials, in conjunction with West FluroTec® stoppers, to contain its FDA-approved therapy IMLYGIC™ (talimogene laherparepvec). Manufactured from a cyclic olefin polymer, CZ vials offer a break-resistant, high-performance alternative to glass for complex drugs.

“West recognizes the growing demand for high quality and technologically advanced containment systems for today’s sophisticated biologic drugs, particularly when there may be challenges of interaction or adsorption related to traditional glass vials,” said John Paproski, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, West. “Daikyo Crystal Zenith technology represents an important way to address the needs of our customers in this growing biotechnology market.”

“We appreciate the relationship we have with West and how they have worked with us to provide an appropriate container closure solution to address the ultra-cold storage conditions for IMLYGIC™,” said Bill Rich, Vice President, Device Technologies at Amgen.

The CZ container closure system also includes a West FluroTec stopper, which is a proven solution to provide a barrier against extractables without compromising seal integrity – important benefits for maintaining the full strength of biologic therapies. Additionally, the CZ vial can stand up to cold storage environments, and it reduces the risk of breakage that exists with glass.
 
“West applauds Amgen’s work to discover and develop medicines to treat serious illnesses, and remains steadfast in our commitment to stand by their side and provide high-quality container systems and components so that their products can be delivered to the patients who need them,” Mr. Paproski concluded.

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