West Pharmaceutical Services

Catch a glimpse of the highlights from CPHI Milan and PDA Universe – here’s what made these events unforgettable!

Moving drug delivery from concept to commercialization demands the right partner at every stage. See how West Vantage™ helps drive commercial success.

Bringing a drug delivery device to market requires complex coordination. See how West Vantage™ helps streamline the path to commercialization.

Just returned from CPHI Milan, which was an incredible opportunity to meet with customers, hear from industry experts, and see the latest innovations. Additionally, it was great to spend time connecting with our West team from around the world. Seeing the enthusiasm and dedication at the booth was just awesome! These candid customer conversations provide important feedback on areas where we can improve and be better every day to enable our customers to serve more patients.

𝟱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗙𝗦 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 FDA doesn’t create new regulatory terms casually — 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗽𝘂𝘁𝘀 (𝗘𝗗𝗗𝗢𝘀) exist because certain parameters, like break loose and extrusion force, significantly decide whether a combination product delivers the dose safely… or doesn’t. So, what is actually influencing extrusion forces? Let’s quickly clarify one thing before: 𝗚𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 describes the plunger movement within an empty syringe to ensure consistent gliding, while 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 describes the force needed to extrude a liquid in a filled syringe. This difference becomes especially apparent with high viscosity drugs. 𝟱 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗙𝗦 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀: 1. 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Inconsistent silicone oil levels and storage orientation (needle up/down) directly impact break-loose and glide/extrusion profiles over time. 2. 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻/𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 Elastomer composition, coating, film, and/or siliconization can shift force curves. 3. 𝗗𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 Inner diameter of glass barrel and outer diameter of plunger dimensions variation and ovality influence plunger compression and friction behavior. 4. 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 Viscosity, protein interaction and excipients affect lubrication and force stability. 5. 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Time and temperature cycling can alter silicone oil distribution and stopper-barrel interaction. Extrusion force variability isn’t caused by one component — it’s a system behavior. Managing it requires integrated control across barrel, stopper, silicone oil, and process parameters. If you're scaling a PFS program or troubleshooting force variability, let’s connect. A systems-level approach makes the difference between acceptable performance and robust reliability.

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