SCHOTT Pharma Sets New Standard with ISO-Compliant Ready-to-Use Polymer Cartridge for Biologics

SCHOTT Pharma Sets New Standard with ISO-Compliant Ready-to-Use Polymer Cartridge for Biologics

IN BRIEF) SCHOTT Pharma has introduced the SCHOTT TOPPAC® cartridge, the first ready-to-use polymer cartridge to meet ISO dimensions, offering exceptional dimensional precision and broad device compatibility for injection systems such as pens. Made from COC and designed for sensitive biologics, biosimilars, and emergency drugs, it combines glass-like functional performance with break resistance. Manufactured in Switzerland and available in multiple sizes, the cartridge features a cross-linked siliconization layer to ensure drug stability and minimize waste. Backed by decades of experience in polymer containment solutions, SCHOTT Pharma aims to set new standards in safety, efficiency, and scalability for the pharmaceutical industry.

(PRESS RELEASE) MAINZ, 11-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — SCHOTT Pharma, a global leader in drug containment and delivery systems, has unveiled the first ready-to-use (RTU) polymer cartridge on the market that fully complies with ISO dimensions. The new SCHOTT TOPPAC® cartridge offers unprecedented manufacturing precision, enabling greater design flexibility and compatibility with a wide range of injection devices, including pen systems. This innovation is poised to enhance patient-friendly drug administration both in clinical environments and at home.

Building on its expertise in polymer syringes and glass cartridges, SCHOTT Pharma now provides pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers with an additional, unbiased material choice tailored to specific drug requirements. “With this second polymer option in our portfolio, we offer pharmaceutical companies solutions that match their unique needs,” said Andreas Reisse, CEO of SCHOTT Pharma. “The SCHOTT TOPPAC® cartridge is particularly suited for sensitive biologics, such as cell and gene therapies, biosimilars, and emergency medications.”

The new cartridge, made from Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC), features a uniform cross-linked siliconization layer that minimizes protein adsorption, keeps extractables and leachables low, and ensures consistent performance throughout its shelf life. These properties make it an optimal choice for delicate proteins, viscous formulations, and drugs requiring stability and safety. Delivering functional performance comparable to glass while offering break resistance, the cartridge is also compatible with common fill-and-finish lines, allowing for a streamlined path to market.

Manufactured with advanced injection molding technology in St. Gallen, Switzerland, the SCHOTT TOPPAC® cartridge is available in 1.5 ml, 3 ml, and 5 ml formats, with a 10 ml version in development. High-precision tolerances in the cone and flange areas ensure compatibility with various injection systems, while overfill geometry minimizes waste for high-value medications. The use of X-ray sterilization eliminates the risk of EtO residue contamination.

As the world’s largest manufacturer of prefillable polymer syringes made from COC, SCHOTT Pharma has helped secure approval for more than 80 drugs over the past two decades, including several global blockbusters. This new cartridge expands on that track record and complements the company’s comprehensive glass cartridge portfolio, enabling rapid production scaling to meet growing demand in the biologics sector.

The SCHOTT TOPPAC® cartridge will debut at the PDA Universe of Pre-Filled Syringes and Injection Devices Conference in Vienna, Austria, and at the CPHI tradeshow in Frankfurt, Germany. It is currently available for non-human testing samples.

About SCHOTT Pharma

Human health matters. That is why SCHOTT Pharma designs solutions grounded in science to ensure that medications are safe and easy to use for people around the world. Every minute, more than 25,000 people receive an injection packed in a SCHOTT Pharma product. The portfolio comprises drug containment solutions and delivery systems for injectable drugs ranging from prefillable glass and polymer syringes to cartridges, vials, and ampoules. Every day, a team of around 4,700 people from over 60 nations works at SCHOTT Pharma to contribute to global healthcare. The company is represented in all main pharmaceutical hubs with 17 manufacturing sites in Europe, North and South America, and Asia. With over 1,000 patents and technologies developed in-house and a state-of-the-art R&D center in Switzerland, the company is focused on developing innovations for the future. SCHOTT Pharma AG & Co. KGaA is headquartered in Mainz, Germany and listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as part of the SDAX. It is majority owned by SCHOTT AG, which is owned by the Carl Zeiss Foundation. In light of this spirit, SCHOTT Pharma is committed to sustainable development for society and the environment. Currently, SCHOTT Pharma has over 1,800 customers including the top 30 leading pharma manufacturers for injectable drugs and generated revenue of EUR 957 million in the fiscal year 2024. Further information at www.schott-pharma.com

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SOURCE: SCHOTT Pharma