A9 SPIN-OFF
Silicone oil-free syringe adapter - "PURINGE"
Felix Hehnen, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Tim Bierewirtz, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Paul Geus, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Ascenion GmbH
Challenge
Intravitreal Injections have several problems with common Syringes.
- 40% of treatments have a contamination of the eyes due to the leakage of silicon oil particles
- 48% of treatments have overdosing due to the bad syringe design
- Waste of 11€ per syringe due to overfilling of syringes
Complications arising from contamination with silicone oil micro-particles primarily concern its potential interactions with complex biological therapeutics such as antibodies or mRNA therapeutics, compromising the stability, efficacy, or safety of a drug. Consequently, there is a need to prevent therapeutic fluids from being contaminated by silicone oil during injection. For example, contamination of intravitreal injections with endothelial growth inhibitors (anti-VEGF) that are commonly used to improve vision in individuals with age-related macular degeneration can cause discomfort and trigger an inflammatory response.
Technology
This novel technical solution provides a syringe adapter that prevents contamination of injection solutions with silicone oil micro-particles. It comprises a plastic membrane film that separates the syringe body from the injection solution and can be inverted within defined values. Silicone oil is commonly used as a lubricant in syringes to enable smooth movement of the plunger.
A cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) membrane is incorporated in the needle hub and separates the syringe from the injection solution. When the plunger is drawn up, the membrane is inverted so that the front cavity of the needle hub fills with injection solution. When the syringe is compressed, the membrane flips back to its original position and displaces the injection solution through the needle into the area of the body to be treated. The therapeutic only comes into contact with the needle, the hub, and the membrane. Membrane and hub are manufactured from the same thermoplastic material (e.g., COC) using thermoforming and injection molding, respectively. The membrane is directly thermoformed into the needle hub, ensuring dead-space-free injections and cost-effective manufacturing. Customized material properties and shape of the membrane will ensure tear resistance and freezing capacity. Importantly, PURINGE technology also enables the use and storage of prefilled syringes, ensuring the integrity and purity of the. Furthermore, in the case of pre-filled deep-frozen storage, the prefilled syringe adapter takes up less freeze storage space while enabling the thawing of single doses.
Commercial Opportunity
Collaboration for further development. The technology is the basis for a spin-off (in creation).
- Growing medical demand: approximately 200 million patients worldwide require intravitreal applications (macular degeneration)
- Areas of application: intravitreal injections, vaccines (mRNA), cell therapies such as mAbs or other recombinant proteins
- Growing awareness of complications caused by silicone oil contamination (unmet medical need)
- Highly competitive market
- Forecast: estimated market for medical syringes in 2030: €30.2 billion; in the pre-filled syringe segment, €13.1 billion in 2028.
Development Status
The technology is in a TRL 3, with a first injection-molded prototype working.
Patent Situation
The PCT patent has been published (WO2025093629A1), and the national phase will start in Q1 2026.
Further Reading
N/A
