Biotech company Amgen has selected Daikyo Crystal Zenith (CZ) vials from West Pharmaceutical Services for its FDA-approved therapy IMLYGIC (talimogene laherparepvec).

IMLYGIC is a genetically modified oncolytic viral therapy for the local treatment of unresectable cutaneous, subcutaneous and nodal lesions in patients with melanoma recurrent after initial surgery, Amgen said in its website.

Daikyo Crystal Zenith containment system has the ability to maintain drug safety, purity and efficacy from development through to commercialization in a container that is compatible with existing filling technologies, the company said.

Made out of cyclic olefin polymer, CZ vials are claimed to provide a break-resistant, high-performance alternative to glass for complex drugs. These are designed to stand up to cold storage environments.

Amgen will use CZ vials along with West FluroTec stoppers, which will provide a barrier against extractables without compromising seal integrity that is required to maintain the full strength of biologic therapies.

West Pharmaceutical Services senior vice president and chief technology officer John Paproski said: "West recognizes the growing demand for high quality and technologically advanced containment systems for today’s sophisticated biologic drugs, particularly when there may be challenges of interaction or adsorption related to traditional glass vials.

"Daikyo Crystal Zenith technology represents an important way to address the needs of our customers in this growing biotechnology market."

Injectable packaging components manufacturer Daikyo Seiko and West Pharmaceutical Services together offer a wide range of products for injectable drugs and healthcare products.