SCHOTT solutions no. 2/2009 > Pharmaceutical Packaging

Innovative Antibiotics in High-Quality Packaging

U.S. pharmaceutical company Wyeth selects “TopLine” vials as primary packaging for a new drug.

Michael Bonewitz

Life-threatening infections are a growing global concern, with bacterial infections becoming more difficult to treat and drug resistant strains such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (known as MRSA) on the rise. “Tygacil”, the first antibiotic in a new class called glycylcyclines, was developed by Wyeth to overcome key mechanisms of resistance that have been affected by antibiotic use.

Wyeth is one of the largest research-driven pharmaceutical and health care companies in the world. The company is a leader when it comes to discovering, developing, manufacturing and marketing pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biotechnology products and non-prescription medicines. “Our medicines are critical to the health of others and our mission must be efficient,” says Chad Johnson, Wyeth Global Strategic Sourcing Manager. “SCHOTT has taken ownership in this mission.”

When Wyeth Pharmaceuticals developed a novel new drug to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria, they turned to SCHOTT for the specialized vials they would need for distributing this innovative antibiotic to a global market. “What they needed was a customized solution tailor-made to the highest requirements,” says Chuck Newswanger, Sales Manager-U.S. Eastern, SCHOTT forma vitrum. “After meeting and collaborating with members of Wyeth’s development team, we were able to determine that our ‘TopLine’ vials, specially designed to meet their critical parameters, would serve them best.”