FARMINGTON HILLS, Michigan, 13 July 2020 – Polyplastics USA, Farmington Hills, Mich., reports a surge of interest for its TOPAS^® cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. TOPAS COC has been a long time material solution for medical syringes and containers, a market which has been dominated by borosilicate glass, as well as disposable diagnostic containers.

Polyplastics is prevented from discussing current applications due to several non-disclosure agreements with its customers. However, Polyplastics’ President – TOPAS Americas Timothy Kneale said that COC is being used in COVID-19 testing applications and developments are ongoing for its use in new vaccines and therapies.

“With a range of new tests and therapies under development, many companies find it important to use the purest, most inert products for their developments,” said Kneale. “We are pleased to be helpful in bringing as rapid an end to the pandemic as possible.” The interest in TOPAS COC comes amidst a backdrop of concern in the pharmaceutical industry of a shortage of glass vials for COVID-19 vaccines.

TOPAS COC could serve to alleviate a potential shortage of borosilicate glass used to make vaccine vials, according to Kneale. While inexpensive borosilicate glass meets today’s industry needs, there are emerging drugs and therapies that are incompatible with glass. In particular, he said that TOPAS COC could fill a vital role as more biotech-derived active ingredients emerge.

Kneale noted that the extremely low leachables and extractables of TOPAS COC, along with its non-polar, low reactivity surface and broad global regulatory compliance make it ideal for diagnostic disposables, and for packaging of vaccines and therapeutic agents, with many commercial applications at leading healthcare firms around the globe. The material provides ultra-high purity and its inert nature prevents interference with reactions and analyses. Other important features include superior optical performance (91% clarity) along with excellent UV transparency and low birefringence. The design freedom available with injection moldable COC enables lightweight wearable drug delivery solutions, portable diagnostic devices, and more.