“Our product is unique. PhaSeal is the only clinically proven closed drug-transfer system, and today it is in use at more than 500 cancer clinics around the world," explains Elisabet Helmerson, Head of Development at Carmel Pharma in Mölndal, just south of Göteborg.

Carmel Pharma has grown strongly in the last years. But what we have seen so far is just the start of a global venture.

“PhaSeal is currently used in handling cytostatic drugs at a limited number of clinics, and it is a field of application that still has great potential for growth. But even when it comes to handling antiviral drugs and antibiotics, systems are needed for safe transfer — so the market is enormous."
 
Supply of key persons
Behind PhaSeal are two decades of research and development.

Carmel Pharma entered the scene twelve years ago, and has steadily built up its own production apparatus. All research, development and production takes place in the Göteborg region.

“Among the big challenges for the future is to upsize production so that we can mass produce while still retaining quality."

At Carmel Pharma, Elisabet Helmerson has gathered specialists from a number of different fields including chemistry, materials, construction and production.

“An important factor for success is qualified personnel. In the Göteborg region there is specialized education for the type of competence we look for, and that is a major advantage."
 
Sets standard in USA
The development work takes place in close cooperation with the customers:

“By cooperating with the users, we make use of their competence already in the development stage."

“At the same time, a number of independent clinics using Pharma Seal chose to test and publish their results."

All in all, that is why the US counterpart to the Swedish National Board of Occupational Safety in principle could set PharmaSeal as a standard for the safe handling of drugs.

“That is important not only on the US market, but also internationally."
 
Continued expansion
At Carmel Pharma´s office in the Göteborg region, there are plans for continued, rapid expansion.
 
“Enormous amounts of hazardous drugs are handled at hospitals and pharmacies around the world, and we see great potential for this type of well-documented drug-transfer system."

Text: Sven-E Lindberg