Originally Published MPMN June 2003

INDUSTRY NEWS

MedTech Group Lends Support to Use of COC in Medical Products

Contract medical device manufacturer the MedTech Group Inc. (South Plainfield, NJ; www.medtech-grp.com) has announced that it will develop and promote the use of cyclic olefin copolymers (COC) in medical applications. The company has joined forces with Ticona (Summit, NJ; www.ticona.com), whose parent company in Germany developed the material and has been touting it as an alternative to glass in medical and diagnostic devices.

Topas COC combines optical transparency, moisture barrier properties, and greater fracture resistance than glass. Resistant to heat, acids, alkali, and polar solvents, the USP Class VI material contains few extractables.

The material reportedly can prolong the shelf-life of moisture-sensitive drugs and prepared solutions in prefilled primary packaging. Other uses include microplates, needleless injectors, contrast media containers, and optical components.

The partnership with Ticona has all the ingredients for a successful synergistic venture, according to George Blank, president of the MedTech Group. "Our extensive knowledge of plastics technology and thorough understanding of the requirements imposed on medical devices complements Ticona's materials expertise," he says. Topas has great potential in healthcare, continues Blank, citing prefilled syringes as one especially promising avenue of development. "Our FDA-registered and ISO-certified facility provides the optimal setting to develop and expand the capabilities of Topas COC," adds Blank.

The MedTech Group is a full-service contract manufacturer of devices and components for the surgical, pharmaceutical, diagnostic, biotechnology, and other sectors of the healthcare industry. With core expertise in precision plastics molding, the company also offers product design and development, mold making, prototyping, packaging, assembly, and sterilization services. In addition to production facilities in New Jersey, it operates plants in Connecticut and Puerto Rico.

Copyright ©2003 Medical Product Manufacturing News