Global contract packaging organisation (CPO), Tjoapack is investing in its automated packaging capabilities to meet growing customer demand for pre-filled syringes and vials.
The new fully automated packaging line for vials will start operations in Q1 2021 and will increase its capacity to over 12 million vials per year, its pre-filled syringes (PFS) capabilities are expected to be fully operational by Q4 of 2021.
The fully automated PFS packaging line will have an initial capacity for 7 million syringes per year and will be able to assemble, automate insertion of plunger rods and back-stops, carry out inline labelling and complete coding and vision control.
This latest addition to Tjoapack’s service offering follows the recent investment by private equity firm and healthcare specialists, Ampersand Capital Partners.
Dexter Tjoa, CEO at Tjoapack said: “At Tjoapack we’re committed to ensuring we consistently bolster our offering and deliver the efficient and flexible services that our clients expect. The investment from Ampersand allows us to build on our strong foundations, expand our service offering, and ensure we continue to meet customer demand.
“Our vision is to shape the pharmaceutical supply chain to be safer and more efficient and, as a result enable our clients to make the world healthier by facilitating their life sciences research, production and delivery of medicines to patients across the globe.”
The investment follows increased demand from existing and new customers for pre-filled and vial packaging in line with the prevalence of chronic diseases that require injectable therapies.
Dexter added: “As new therapies emerge to address unmet patient needs for chronic ailments the demand for contract packaging organisation that can handle syringes and vials will continue to rise.
“Technological advancements, improving patient compliance, beneficial reimbursement policies, and the rise of biologics in the pharmaceutical market will also further propel the needs for service providers who can meet these requirements.”