Gerresheimer & Corning Announce Joint Venture to Meet Growing Demand for Velocity® Vials, Accelerating the Delivery of Life-Saving Treatments

Gerresheimer AG recently announced a joint venture with Corning Incorporated to increase global access to the Velocity Vial technology platform, addressing the need for a high-quality and cost-effective injectable drug filling process.

Velocity Vials can deliver better economics, better quality, and a more environmentally sustainable design compared with traditional borosilicate packaging.

The partnership will combine Gerresheimer’s extensive glass converting expertise with Corning’s innovative Velocity Vial technology. This model will improve fill-finish productivity and enhance product quality, lowering manufacturing costs and speeding the delivery of injectable therapies. Velocity Vials will be produced by the joint venture in existing Gerresheimer facilities for the international market, making the vials immediately available in North America, Europe, and Asia.

“As the leading solution provider for the pharma and biotech industry, Gerresheimer is dedicated to offering our customers best-in-class solutions to the industry’s toughest challenges,” said Dr. Lukas Burkhardt, Member of the Management Board of Gerresheimer AG. “By expanding our long-standing relationship with Corning, we add another integrated solution to deliver value for our customers. Our market-leading position in vials is further strengthened by this innovative vial technology. In combination with our GX Pharma Plus, Gx Elite glass vials or Gx RTF solution, we can meet the highest quality standards.”

Velocity Vials can improve filling-line efficiency by up to 50% as a drop-in solution, thereby lowering costs while improving quality and providing a streamlined regulatory process. Compared with conventional vials, Velocity Vials can also protect against damage that could lead to particles, breaks, and cracks. The adoption of Velocity Vials has already helped accelerate the delivery of lifesaving treatments and critical drugs to the market.

“Over the past 2 years, we’ve seen first-hand how vital Corning Velocity Vials have been to improving pharmaceutical-manufacturing performance and quality. Now, Corning is expanding access to Velocity Vials by partnering with Gerresheimer to co-manufacture and sell the product,” said Brendan Mosher, Vice President and General Manager of Corning Pharmaceutical Technologies. “The new model expands Velocity’s manufacturing footprint, localizes its supply chains, and gives customers the option to purchase directly from Corning or Gerresheimer. We are excited to welcome Gerresheimer as the first partner to join the Velocity Vial technology platform.”

Gerresheimer is the global partner for pharmaceutics, biotech, healthcare, and cosmetics with a very broad product range for pharmaceutical and cosmetic packaging solutions and drug delivery systems. The company is an innovative solution provider from concept to delivery of the end product. Gerresheimer achieves its ambitious goals through a high level of innovative strength, industrial competence and concentration on quality and customer focus. In developing innovative and sustainable solutions, Gerresheimer relies on a comprehensive international network with numerous innovation and production centers in Europe, America and Asia. Gerresheimer produces close to its customers worldwide with around 11,000 employees and generated annual revenues in 2021 of around EUR 1.5b. With its products and solutions, Gerresheimer plays an essential role in people’s health and well-being. For more information, visit www.gerresheimer.com.

Corning is one of the world’s leading innovators in materials science, with a 170-year track record of life-changing inventions. Corning applies its unparalleled expertise in glass science, ceramic science, and optical physics along with its deep manufacturing and engineering capabilities to develop category-defining products that transform industries and enhance people’s lives. Corning succeeds through sustained investment in RD&E, a unique combination of material and process innovation, and deep, trust-based relationships with customers who are global leaders in their industries. Corning’s capabilities are versatile and synergistic, which allows the company to evolve to meet changing market needs, while also helping its customers capture new opportunities in dynamic industries. Today, Corning’s markets include optical communications, mobile consumer electronics, display, automotive, solar, semiconductors, and life sciences. For more information, visit www.corning.com.