Capsugel deal takes NanoGuardian up a gear

Pfizer's drug delivery subsidiary Capsugel has licensed an anti-counterfeiting technology from NanoGuardian that allows authentication of pharmaceutical formulations right down to the unit-dose level.

NanoGuardian, a division of US firm NanoInk, has granted Capsugel a global license to use its NanoEncryption technology that protects capsule-based drugs against counterfeiting. 

This is a major development for the brand protection specialist, as Capsugel is the leading manufacturer of gelatin capsules with a market share estimated to be in excess of 50 per cent, ahead of rivals such as Shionogi Qualicaps and Cardinal Health (RP Scherer).

"Given the concerning rise in counterfeit and illegally diverted medications throughout the world, we wanted to bring value to our customers by helping to protect their brands, companies, and the patients they serve," said Guido Driesen, president and general manager of Capsugel.

Using the NanoEncryption process, elements known as NanoCodes can be incorporated directly onto capsules - as well as other dosage forms such as tablets, vial caps, and single-use syringes - to provide various overt, covert and forensic security features (see image).

The codes can also be incorporated to provide tracing information on every capsule, linking to e-Pedigree technologies such as radiofrequency identification (RFID) and 2D datamatrix codes.

NanoGuardian says that NanoCodes can be associated with an unlimited amount of manufacturer-determined data, including product information (strength and expiry date), manufacturing information (location, date, batch and lot number) and distribution information (country, distributor, wholesaler and chain).

In addition to the traditional NanoGuardian business model of using a proprietary machine to implement the NanoEncryption technology, Capsugel will offer pre-NanoEncrypted capsule shells to pharmaceutical companies, eliminating any significant additions to their current manufacturing process.

Capsugel says it expects to supply NanoEncrypted capsules by June 2010.