Pharmapack Awards Preview: 10 exciting entries to watch out for

With awards season coming to a close in the film and TV industry, pharma gears up for a celebration of its own.

More than 30 entries are being considered across two categories this year - Exhibitor Innovations and Health Products. To showcase the range of innovative designs in the running, we’ve handpicked a selection of 10 exciting entries to watch out for.  

Category: Exhibitor Innovations 

The Exhibitor Innovation category is open to those exhibiting at Pharmapack Europe 2022 with a corresponding Innovation Package. Entries must have a timeline for launch up until the end of 2023, in either proof of concept or prototype stage. They will be judged by a jury of packaging and drug delivery thought leaders.  

1. Sween 

Company: BIOCORP 

Function: Facilitates self-injection  

Sween aims to make the self-injection of medication easier and safer for patients. The device mechanically guides the insertion of the needle under the skin at the correct depth before injection, aiming to reduce anxiety around the process.  

2. Digital Health Device with Mobile App for Allergen Immunotherapy Treatment (AIT) Patients 

Company: Aptar Pharma 

Function: Drug delivery device collects data on self-administration and informs the patient of non-adherence  

This drug delivery device and accompanying mobile app are designed to improve adherence for patients undergoing Stallergenes Greer’s allergen immunotherapy treatment (AIT) with sublingual solutions. The base-mounted sleeve of the connected device attaches to the primary packaging (a glass vial and dropper actuator) and the integrated sensing and feedback elements then record data on self-administration events, alerting the patient to non-compliance.  

All data is transferred via Bluetooth to the app, which can be configured to issue alerts and reminders to support consistent adherence, a vital component of AIT.  

3. InsulCheck® DOSE 

Company: Innovation Zed and SHL Medical 

Function: Reusable pen injector add-on that uses Bluetooth to automatically transfer injection time and number of dose units dialled to a mobile application.  

The InsulCheck DOSE pen injector add-on features a customisable sleeve that allows for compatibility with different insulin pens, as well as proprietary multi-sensor technology which enables the detection of units dialled. A built-in firmware over-the-air (FOTA) capability further enables continuous optimisation of the device’s firmware even after deployment, allowing InsulCheck DOSE to continually improve its performance.  

4. Bluetooth Returnable Transport Item (RTI) Solution 

Company: Avery Dennison 

Function: Smart label that facilitates connectivity of packaging and transport units  

This battery-free Bluetooth enabled smart label powers itself by harvesting RF energy. By sticking the label onto plastic crates, pharmaceuticals, and packaging, they are instantly connected to the IoT, giving them constant connectivity, sensing, and visibility. 

Applications include improving inventory visibility and reducing the number of returnable transport items that are lost or scrapped.  

5. Activated Rispharm  

Company: Berry Global / Pylote 

Function: Multidose eye dropper designed to prevent eye infections  

This eye dropper features a nozzle and cap activated to kill bacteria and viruses continuously to deliver hygienic doses at each use and reduce infection risks. The multidose design reduces the amount of plastic waste by 16 times for one month of treatment compared to a monodose.  

6. Pharmaceutical grass paper packaging  

Company: Körber Pharma Packaging Materials AG 

Function: Sustainable packaging option  

Grass paper is 100% recyclable and its production requires no chemical preparation, causing 95% lower CO2 emissions. It requires very little water and energy compared to virgin fibre pulp obtained from wood and can be disposed of like wastepaper.  

Category: Health Product  

The Health Product Award seeks to recognise excellence in commercialised packaging or drug delivery solutions from pharmaceutical, veterinary, biopharma or OEM companies. Entries will be evaluated by a jury of independent pharmacists, physicians, and experts in patient-centric and sustainable packaging. 

7. Autotest COVID-VIRO ALL IN® 

Company: AAZ-LMB 

Function: COVID-19 self-test designed specifically for children  

This self-test detects the presence of COVID-19 by means of a nasal sample. It was especially designed for children given its secure and painless administration. The device is single-use and can be used by non-healthcare professionals in a private setting.  

8. Packlock - the clever blister 

Company: Packlock 

Function: Child-proof, senior-friendly and sustainable packaging 

Packlock’s blister packs are designed to be easily opened by senior citizens and impossible for young children to access.  

The blister is squeezed together at the ends with two fingers so that the packaging forms a cavity. The tablet can then be pressed out of the packaging and removed through the opening. This design is child-resistant as young children’s hands are too small to press the packaging correctly. Use of a monofoil also makes the design more sustainable.  

9. TouStar® 

Company: Sanofi Aventis Deutschland GmbH 

Function: Reusable pen injector intended for delivery of concentrated insulin 

TouStar® has been developed specifically to improve access to Sanofi’s Toujeo®, which is a three-times concentrated basal insulin. With this concentration, a Toujeo® cartridge that is only half the size of a regular one contains 50% more insulin.  

TouStar® is the first reusable pen injector of its kind, designed with a cartridge system that ensures only cartridges containing Toujeo® can be inserted.  

10. Delrin® Renewable Attributed 

Company: DuPont de Nemours (Deutschland) GmbH 

Function: Material with lower carbon footprint  

Delrin® RA is the eco-friendly sister of Delrin (Polyoxymethylene POM), a material in parts designed to replace metal. Delrin® RA was developed to reduce the carbon footprint associated with the raw materials, electricity and heat source used in the manufacturing process. Global warming potential (GWP) of Delrin® RA is reduced by up to 75% compared to Delrin.  

These products were randomly selected to highlight the range of entries this year. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and announced on May 17.