DuPont at Pharmapack 2012

The range of high performance polymers available from DuPont for use in medical devices, including the new DuPont™ Delrin® SC699 acetal resin forms the focal point of the company’s exhibit at Pharmapack 2012 in Paris (stand 561). Their use enables the design and manufacture of highly-accurate, reliable, durable and convenient products, as illustrated by the launch last year of the UnoPen™, a disposable, variable-dose injector pen for insulin and other therapies by the company Ypsomed AG (Burgdorf, Switzerland).

Ypsomed AG has specified the new, ultra low-friction Delrin® SC699 acetal resin for a key component of its UnoPen™. The DuPont material, which is supplied with extensive regulatory compliance for use in healthcare applications, is used to mould the pen's dose dial sleeve. Its low-friction behaviour facilitates use of the pen by diabetes patients who are required to administer daily injections of insulin either by themselves or with the help of a health care professional. Further attributes of this grade of Delrin® in the application include its mechanical properties and the compatibility of the material with laser marking when using a masterbatch.
The UnoPen™ from Ypsomed AG, a leading independent developer and manufacturer of injection systems, is a state-of-the-art disposable pen designed for the manual injection and delivery of insulin or other drugs from a pre-filled glass cartridge. A principal feature of the device is its ease-of-use based on a well-proven 'dial and inject' handling concept, in which the dose dial sleeve – the component moulded from Delrin® SC699 acetal resin and located between the housing and the piston rod – plays a key role. It is used by the patient to set the required dose of insulin to be injected and interacts mechanically with the piston rod to dispense the required dosage.

“The friction properties of Delrin® SC699 acetal resin used for the dose dial sleeve are fundamental to the pen's ease of use. If friction between the parts of the pen is kept to its minimum, then the patient will need a minimum of force to dose or inject the drug,” explains Stefan Burren, manager product development at Ypsomed. “We tested many polymers that are currently available on the market for this component, but none fulfilled the requirements as well as the DuPont material.”

Delrin® SC699 acetal resin has been modified for exceptional low friction performance and is suitable for high volume manufacture. It has been specifically developed for parts requiring high precision moulding in the healthcare industry and is supplied with the relevant regulatory compliance (FDA and EU food compliance, production according to GMP standards, testing against USP Class VI and ISO 10993–5 and -11). Further attributes of the new grade leading to its specification for the dose dial sleeve include its compatibility with laser marking, by use of an appropriate masterbatch, for indication of the dose settings. As with other grades from the Delrin® product family, the material also exhibits outstanding properties in terms of strength and stiffness, permitting the snap-fit assembly of the component, as well as ensuring reliable and durable mechanical performance in use.

DuPont: the material supplier of choice to the health care segment
DuPont offers one of the broadest portfolios of engineering plastics and thermoplastic elastomers for medical devices, surgical devices and for diagnostic or pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment. They offer benefits including structural properties with lower material density and ease of forming geometrically complicated parts. In addition, minimal finishing operations, rapid production cycles, and longer life with enhanced durability all contribute to cost savings. The DuPont health care product offering provides food agency compliance, ISO 10993-5 and -11 compliance as well as USP Class VI compliance. Speciality health care products are manufactured following GMP. Beyond material supply, DuPont actively supports customers with assistance in material selection, tool design and moulding optimization
The Ypsomed Group is a leading, independent developer and manufacturer of injection systems for self care and a proven diabetes specialist with over 25 years of experience. Amongst its products, the company manufactures injection systems and pen needles for treating diabetes, growth disorders, infertility and other therapeutic areas and is further trading a complete product portfolio of diabetes care products such as insulin pumps and supplies and blood glucose monitoring systems. The Ypsomed Group is headquartered in Burgdorf, Switzerland. It has several production sites in Switzerland, as well as a large international sales and distribution network with presence in over 50 countries. The group currently employs around 1,050 staff.

DuPont Performance Polymers is committed to working with customers throughout the world to develop new products, components and systems that help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and protect people and the environment. With more than 40 manufacturing, development and research centers throughout the world, DuPont Performance Polymers uses the industry’s broadest portfolio of plastics, elastomers, renewably sourced polymers, filaments and high-performance parts and shapes to deliver cost-effective solutions to customers in aerospace, automotive, consumer, electrical, electronic, industrial, sporting goods and other diversified industries.

DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit www.dupont.com.

UnoPen™ is a trademark of Ypsomed AG

The DuPont Oval, DuPont, The miracles of science and Delrin® are trademarks or registered trademarks of E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.

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DuPont press contact :
Rémi Daneyrole
Tel.: +41 (0)22 717 54 19
Fax: +41 (0)22 580 22 45
Remi.daneyrole@dupont.com