Designing IV flexible bags for complex and sensitive therapies
EducationalIV Therapies: Challenges to Find the Right Materials for flexible Packaging Compatibility with Complex and Sensitive MoleculesPackagingIV bagsPrimary PackagingProcess & EquipmentAseptic TechnologiesPharmaceutical Packaging MachineryPolymers
2025-06-04 | 10:40 AM - 10:55 AM | TPD Room
Information
IV therapies are becoming more complex, often involving high-value or sensitive molecules. This complexity now spans not only conventional drugs as well as advanced biotech treatments, including cell and gene therapies, which demand specialized handling and delivery methods. As a result, flexible IV bags must ensure chemical and biological compatibility, stability, and safe drug delivery. Material choice is crucial but incomplete if the system as a whole is not designed for performance. The full system includes several components (bags, tubes, connectors, chambers, seals) and each of them plays a crucial role.
Multi-chamber bags with peel-seal technology, for example, keep different molecules separate until the moment of use, preserving their integrity and efficacy. This is especially important when two or more substances need to remain apart until just before administration. Similarly, closed-circuit systems for drug reconstitution reduce contamination risks, protecting both healthcare professionals and the drug itself. These systems often include specialized vial adaptor connectors that maintain the closed-circuit throughout reconstitution, further enhancing safety and drug stability.
Primary packaging must also support the drug throughout its entire lifecycle: during filling, storage, transport, and administration. This adds complexity, especially for drugs that are sensitive to oxygen, light, or pH changes. That’s why both the bag and the components must be selected with attention to the type of therapy and the specific molecule.
In our experience developing custom solutions for IV bags and closed-circuit systems, we have seen how the combination of materials and components can strongly influence the final performance. Compatibility problems often arise from chemical reactions, absorption, or the release of substances from the packaging into the drug. That’s why material selection and design should start early and be specific to the drug.
Primary packaging must also fulfill regulatory, technical, and operational requirements. At the same time, they must adapt to the needs of each therapy. Custom design helps manage this balance, making sure the system works for both the molecule and the clinical context.
It’s not just about the material - it’s about the full system working together.
Exhibitors
