COP vial: How to Solve the Storage Problem of Cell and Gene Therapy Drugs?

Cell and Gene Therapy: A Revolutionary Breakthrough in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Cell and gene therapy represent a revolutionary breakthrough in the pharmaceutical industry, but such drugs often rely on ultra-low temperature storage to maintain cell viability and drug stability. Conventional glass vials are prone to seal failure due to uneven contraction in environments of -150°C or even liquid nitrogen (-196°C), increasing the risk of contamination. In contrast, COP vials maintain sealing integrity under extreme low temperatures due to their thermal contraction characteristics, which are nearly synchronous with the rubber stopper, making them the preferred packaging for cell cryopreservation preparations.

sterile vial in tray

Why Do Cell Therapy Drugs Need COP Vials?

Living cell preparations are extremely sensitive to their environment; even minor temperature fluctuations or sealing issues during the freezing process can lead to cell death or loss of function. The unique advantages of COP vials include:

Ultra-Low Temperature Resistance: They remain stable at -196°C, preventing seal failure due to material contraction discrepancies, ensuring the long-term storage safety of cell preparations.

Leak-Proof Design: They are less likely to break during repeated freezing and thawing, reducing risks during transportation and storage, which is especially suitable for therapies like CAR-T and stem cells that require multiple transfers.

Biocompatibility: They do not release substances that could interfere with cell viability or gene vectors (such as viruses, mRNA), complying with the strict standards set by the FDA and EMA for cell therapy packaging.

RTU(ready to use) 2ml COP vial

Reduced Protein Adsorption and Precise Dose Control

In addition to cell therapies, COP vials are also suitable for gene-editing drugs (such as CRISPR vectors) and recombinant protein drugs. These high-value biopharmaceuticals can easily adsorb to glass surfaces, leading to inaccurate dosing. The low protein adsorption characteristics of COP materials can reduce drug loss, ensure dosing accuracy in clinical administration, and help pharmaceutical companies optimize their filling processes and reduce cost wastage.

Future Trend: COP Vials Will Become the Standard Packaging for Cell and Gene Drugs

With their deep freeze resistance, high sealing, and biosafety, COP vials are being utilized by leading global pharmaceutical companies in cutting-edge fields such as mRNA vaccines and CAR-T cell therapies. For companies dedicated to the research and development of cell and gene therapies, choosing COP packaging is not only a compliance requirement but also a crucial step in ensuring drug efficacy.