Joint system-level testing combines Stevanato Group glass syringes with Aptar Pharma elastomer components to provide key data earlier in development and help inform packaging decisions for sensitive biologics and other injectable therapies
Aptar Pharma, part of AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR), a global leader in drug delivery, dosing, protection technologies and services, today announced a collaboration with Stevanato Group to provide system-level data supporting earlier evaluation of pre-filled syringe configurations for biotech and pharmaceutical companies, with a focus on sensitive biologics and other injectable therapies. The work builds on Aptar Pharma's integrated system-level framework, launched in July 2026, and brings complementary expertise together across the injectable value chain.
As biologics, high-concentration formulations and combination products continue to increase in complexity, pharma companies face growing challenges in evaluating container and closure components that perform effectively together as assembled systems. Early system-level assessments can help pharma customers identify potential sensitivities sooner and inform subsequent development decisions.
The collaboration combines Aptar Pharma’s expertise in elastomeric components with Stevanato Group’s expertise in prefillable syringe systems, primary containment and system performance. The joint work evaluates Stevanato Group’s EZ-fill® Nexa® and Alba® glass syringe platforms together with Aptar Pharma PremiumCoat® and uncoated plungers, as well as Aptar Pharma rigid needle shield options for standard and autoinjector configurations. By assessing these components as assembled systems, using an approach designed to support customers in meeting USP <382> requirements, the companies aim to give drug manufacturers’ development teams earlier visibility into viable packaging configurations, enabling more informed decisions and helping teams identify potential technical challenges earlier in development.
Current activities cover 1 mL long and 2.25 mL syringe formats and examine system performance to generate data designed to support customers in meeting USP <382> requirements. Evaluations include rigid needle shield pull-off force, plunger break-loose and extrusion forces, container closure integrity and plunger seal integrity across selected configurations and viscosity profiles. The work also explores how variables such as needle geometry can influence break-loose and extrusion forces, helping biotech developers narrow technical options earlier. Data packages and regulatory support services are available to help drug manufacturers throughout the product lifecycle.
The joint activities reflect the wider purpose of Aptar Pharma's framework by combining component expertise with partner collaboration, system-level testing and integrated performance data packages. For drug manufacturers navigating increasingly complex, concentrated or sensitive formulations, earlier system-level evidence can support more focused technical discussions, better-informed packaging choices and a clearer path from feasibility assessment toward scale-up and commercialization.
“We value our long-standing collaboration with Stevanato Group and the opportunity to bring our complementary expertise together at the assembled-system level,” said Audrey Chardonnet, VP Global Market Development Injectables, Aptar Pharma. “Through this joint work, we aim to provide pharmaceutical teams with earlier insight into component interactions and system performance to support informed development decisions.”
“As injectable therapies become increasingly complex, pharmaceutical companies need greater confidence in how packaging components perform together as complete systems,” said Riccardo Marcon, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing of Drug Containment Solutions at Stevanato Group. “By combining our expertise in prefillable containment solutions with Aptar Pharma's expertise in elastomeric components, we can provide customers with valuable system-level insights that support feasibility assessments, risk evaluation and more informed development decisions.”
As Aptar Pharma continues to develop relationships and support data packages with partners across the injectable value chain, the Stevanato Group collaboration represents one application of the framework. Pharmaceutical customers remain responsible for demonstrating the suitability and compliance of their final drug product packaging and delivery systems.
Aptar Pharma’s injectables business combines over 60 years of precision manufacturing with expertise that extends beyond individual components to the broader injectable system. Backed by a customer-focused approach, Aptar Pharma works closely with pharmaceutical and biotech companies to address complex challenges, support informed decision-making and build confidence throughout the injectable journey.
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