Fluoropolymer Lubricating Coatings for Prefilled Syringes

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Prefilled syringes are used with increasing frequency in parenteral drug administration. Their advantages include reducing medical errors, ease of use, accurate dosage, elimination of preservatives, and enabling of patient-controlled self-therapy. However, most commercial protein-based drugs are not compatible with prefilled syringes. This is because of complications that arise from the almost ubiquitous presence of silicone oil that is used as lubricant to aid in syringe plunger depression and to ensure reliable and safe operation. Silicone microdroplets that shed from the lubricated surfaces of the syringe react with the drug medium and cause aggregation of protein therapeutics compromising their safety and efficacy. Attempts to replace standard silicone oil lubricant in prefilled syringes have thus far fallen short in achieving sufficiently high lubricity and chemical inertness. To address this problem GVD Corporation proposes to develop a highly inert, low- parti