BD (NYSE:BDX) announced today that it launched its next-generation glass prefillable syringe (PFS) for vaccine delivery.
Franklin Lakes, New Jersey-based BD’s new Effivax syringe features tightened specifications for processability, cosmetics, contamination and integrity. The company designed it in collaboration with top pharmaceutical firms to meet the evolving needs of vaccine manufacturing.
“As biopharmaceutical companies continue to rapidly grow their vaccine pipelines, demand for PFS is accelerating across the globe – given their proven ability to facilitate faster administration, support dose sparing and reduce vaccine waste,” said Eric Borin, worldwide president of BD Pharmaceutical Systems. “The launch of BD Effivax glass prefillable syringe strategically supports this growth and will create needed efficiencies in end-to-end production.”
Effivax glass PFS offers design enhancements focused on fill/finish and container reliability. The company designed it to reduce the risk of line stoppage. It also improves the total cost of ownership, manufacturing capacity and supply availability.
BD pushes forward with PFS initiatives
BD said the Effivax PFS will benefit from its recent investment in PFS technology.
Last year, the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) provided $42 million as part of a $70 million project to expand the operations and manufacturing lines at BD’s Holdrege, Nebraska facility. BD got those lines up and running by October 2021.
The following month, BD broke ground on its $200 million pre-filled drug delivery device manufacturing plant in Spain. In May 2021, it said it would build the $201.5 million (€165 million) high-tech manufacturing facility in Zaragoza, Spain, with expectations of creating up to 600 jobs at the facility by 2030.
BD said it plans to maintain robust capacity for PFS to reduce the time and labor required for vaccine preparation. The company is preparing for the future of vaccinations, including mRNA and ones used for COVID-19.