West has introduced its B.safe syringe safety system. The company acquired the IP and rights to the system in 2011 and has completed the product development and first phase of commercial scale-up at its manufacturing center in France. Scale-up to high-volume manufacturing is expected in 1H13.
 
The system is designed to help protect against needlestick injury when using a prefilled syringe. West's prefilled syringe portfolio also includes the NovaGuard passive needle system for Luer Lock syringes and the eris system.
 
"We are delighted to reach this significant milestone and be in a position to offer our customers a globally available safety system, leveraging our established expertise around prefilled syringes and needle safety," said Glenn Thorpe, vice president, Strategic Market Development, Syringe Systems. "With the completion of the steps necessary to offer this system commercially, we are in position to meet growing market demand in this area, and are pleased to have already signed our first commercial agreement and commenced shipments."