Stevanato Group S.p.A. a global provider of drug containment and delivery solutions to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and life sciences industries, has entered a collaboration with IL Group (formerly Iwata Label Group) – a leader in pharmaceutical label and labeling machine manufacturing.
 
The companies are collaborating on a fully integrated and automated solution for hazardous injectable drugs, capable to cover the entire customer process, from infeed in production till final use. The new integrated solution will leverage high-value solutions for drug containment (vials) and container protection (labels) to improve and facilitate the handling and storage of sensitive drugs, as well as ensure higher levels of safety for healthcare professionals and patients.
 
The combination of Stevanato Group’s innovative Vision Robot Unit (VRU) coupled with the IL Group’s model labeling technology, will allow customers to efficiently and automatically inspect cosmetic and particle defects in hazardous and sensitive drugs and their glass containers, without human intervention. VRUs enable the performance of advanced inspection operations, while gently handling the containers to reduce breakage risks.
 
In addition to the integration of visual inspection and labeling machines, Stevanato Group and IL Group will offer customers a unique solution for drug containment and vial protection that includes SG EZ-fill vial platform, and the Vial Protect Pack (VPP) by IL Group, a shrink tack label to the vials, which minimizes the risk of breaking and shattering and prevents the content from spilling.
 
“Collaborating with IL Group was a natural fit for Stevanato Group,” said Andrea Zambon, corporate business development senior director of Stevanato Group. “In our common mission to fuel the technological development of the pharma ecosystem, we support customers with advanced technologies and equipment, along with the best drug containment solutions, adding value and enhancing the safety of patients and health professionals.”
 
Masato Iwata, President of IL Group commented: “For the past 45 years IL Group has specialized in providing optimal pharmaceutical packaging solutions to healthcare professionals in Japan. However, thanks to our new collaboration with Stevanato Group, we will combine our uniquely innovative technologies to face a new challenge. Together with Stevanato Group, IL Group will work to deliver safety and peace of mind to healthcare professionals and patients all around the world while maintaining the highest level of quality.”