Merck and Pfizer Collaborate with Corning to Modernize Pharmaceutical Glass Packaging

Merck, Pfizer, and Corning Incorporated announced at a United States White House press conference that their collaborations have enabled the modernization of pharmaceutical packaging with the introduction of Corning Valor Glass, Corning said in a July 20, 2017 press release. The pharmaceutical glass packaging solution enhances the storage and delivery of today’s drug formulations. Corning is making an initial investment of $500 million and creating 1000 new US jobs as the first part of a planned investment of $4 billion and 4000 new high-tech jobs.

Pharmaceutical formulation and manufacturing process insights from Merck and Pfizer, in combination with Corning’s glass science and precision forming capabilities, helped deliver the glass packaging solution for injectable drugs in vials and cartridges. The companies’ continued collaborations will focus on additional evaluations and deployment of the new packaging, which offers chemical durability, strength, and damage resistance and reduced particulate generation. As with any change to drug packaging, adoption of the new glass packaging will take time, Corning noted.

The White House Office of American Innovation has encouraged this initiative as a model of cross-industry technology collaboration and economic investment. According to the press release, President Donald J. Trump said, “My administration is committed to streamlining the regulatory process so that it’s easier for companies to invest and innovate here in America. Today, I’m pleased to recognize Merck, Pfizer, and Corning for collaborating to modernize pharmaceutical glass packaging with Valor Glass and bring important manufacturing jobs to the United States.”

“Merck is proud to have participated from its inception in the development of Valor Glass with Corning. Biologics today are on the leading edge of scientific innovation, and Valor Glass represents a similar advancement in materials science: glass that is purpose-built for medicines and vaccines. Merck plans to convert several injectable products to this exceptional new glass packaging solution, pending appropriate regulatory approvals,” said Kenneth C. Frazier, Merck’s chairman and CEO, in the press release.

“We joined forces with Corning to advance this revolutionary new glass for medicines that are critical to patients. Our initial trial results with Valor Glass show promise, and we are working with Corning to assess the full potential of this glass solution on products at several of our manufacturing sites,” Ian C. Read, Pfizer’s chairman and CEO, said in the press release.

“Making this next-generation product requires a new, advanced manufacturing platform, and we plan to build that platform right here in the United States,” said Wendell P. Weeks, Corning Incorporated’s chairman, CEO, and president in the press release. “All of this is made possible by our great customers like Merck and Pfizer and the strong support of the Administration, the Office of American Innovation, and the FDA’s Emerging Technology Team. We believe this is great news for patients, for the industry, and for the economy.”

Source: Corning