Phillips-Medisize Wins New Supply Contract for Sanofi Injection Pen Components
Phillips-Medisize Corp. has announced it has signed a supply agreement for insulin pen components with Sanofi, a leader for diabetes treatment. As a result, injection pen component production at the plant in Kontiolahti, Finland, has been expanded with an automated production line.
Given the successful production by Phillips-Medisize of insulin pen components for many years, this new project was assigned to the Kontiolahti plant and underlines the long-term partnership between Phillips-Medisize and Sanofi. The new pen is an easy-to-use disposable pen for the administration of lixisenatide. The finished device is made for the Japanese market and meets the stringent quality demand from that country. Phillips-Medisize has fulfilled the manufacture requirements due to its premium expertise in assembly technology. The manufacturing involves injection molding technology, assembly and tray handling robots, various measuring and testing systems as well as pad printing.
The complex and highly automated assembly line was planned and installed by Phillips-Medisize, and includes multiple camera inspection points in the process. The company also built the required molds, which were principally designed and produced in the company’s in-house tool shop. Phillips- Medisize implemented the project, including all validations required, and delivered validated product in less than 12 months. The final pen assembly will be launched out by Sanofi in Frankfurt, Germany.
Phillips-Medisize President and CEO, Matt Jennings says: "This agreement confirms our in-house tooling and automation expertise, combined with excellent project management capabilities are highly valued by our customers. We will continue to develop our competency to offer them an even quicker service for their drug delivery device projects and are delighted to contribute to the rapid growth of the Sanofi diabetes treatment business." In February 2013, Phillips-Medisize added another 6000 m2 (64,583 ft2) capacity to its Finnish facility. The expansion was driven by new opportunities the company has been awarded, as well as, to support increased global demand for devices with precise dosage drug delivery requirements.