ICF N° 4 Settembre/Ottobre 2020 Supplemento

Construction 

Via Selvanesco, 75 - 20142 Milano 

tel. +39 02.27.43.931 - fax +39 02.27.43.93.20 

info@csv-ls.com www.csv-ls.com

www.ellab.it 

RIVISTA 

DELL’ 

POSTE ITALIANE SPA - SPED. IN ABB. POSTALE 

70% - LO/MI - COSTO COPIA €10,00 

_I_IV_COVER_4-2020 

UnMondoServizio'20-05-20.indd PHARMA.indd 

2 1 

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Summary 

RIVISTA 

DELL’ INDUSTRIA 

CHIMICA E 

FARMACEUTICA 

www.interprogettied.com 

icf 

PHARMA SPECIAL ISSUE 

INDUSTRIA 

CHIMICA E 

FARMACEUTICA 

YEARXI NO4 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER2020SUPPLEMENT 

icf 

6 

Editorial 

Science, a necessary 

asset 

12 

Technical news 

Products for medical 

and pharmaceutical 

applications 

20 

Trends 

Where personalized 

medicine is already 

effective 

THE solutions for your Validation & Monitoring needs 

Everything is hardbefore it gets easy! 

8Cover story 

A strategic supplier 

for the pharma industry 

16 

Trends 

2.0 therapeutic support: 

the storytelling 

in the pharma industry 

26 

Safety 

On the trail 

of the future 

Summary 

2 icf RIVISTA DELL’INDUSTRIA CHIMICA E FARMACEUTICA

Summary 

NO.4 SEPT/OCT 2020 SUPPLEMENT 

30 

Machines 

Contained milling process: 

an integrated know how 

36 


Flexible solution 

for serialization 

38 

Instrumentation 

Reliable measured values, 

from lab to process 

47 


IMA Group accelerates 

digital innovation 

34 


New Directions in the TOC 

Measurements 

37 


High quality stills 

with the GFL Technology 

quality mark 

42 

Packaging 

Pharmaceutical packaging: 

high tech for our health 

48 

Colophon 

“The current emergency showed us even more clearly the importance 

of technological and IT infrastructures: we are very satisfied about 

the success of remote inspections we were subjected to by Accredia, 

the body designated by the Italian Government to certify the competence 

of the accredited calibration laboratories”. 

Alessandra Ferrari, Ellab Srl Business Manager, page 10. 

September/October 2020 

RIVISTA DELL’INDUSTRIA CHIMICA E FARMACEUTICA icf 3

usiness & quality continuity 

GxP inside

Editorial 

Science, a necessary asset 

The trend to polarization that has characterized 

our Western societies for years 

has been reflected in the ways of dealing 

with the health emergency. This 

could be remarked first of all in some 

irrational and extremist behaviours, 

culminating in the denial marches that 

cannot be justified by our prolonged psychological 

stress and by the serious economic problems that 

involved large sections of the population. On the 

opposite side, let’s point out that some media and 

institutions gave different examples of confused 

and aggressive communication, aiming at frightening 

people, more than informing them. Polarisation 

and frontal collisions, as some recent politics taught 

us, try to simplify the language to such an extent 

to provide an univocal and superficial version of the 

events. Bypassing either instrumentally or because 

of ignorance the big complexity of our time and 

reality, thus feeding anti-scientific and anti-industrial 

prejudices. This doesn’t mean that every interpretation 

of facts can be based on data or 

pure rationality. Understanding something 

about human events looking away from the 

contradictions that characterize it, is impossible. 

Not everything can be measured 

and scientists themselves repeat us they 

have no absolute truths. In short, 

there are no indisputable dogmas. 

However this does not authorize us 

to let our guard down against irrational 

drifts that risk to become 

dangerous for public health, economy 

and even civil cohabitation. 

Let’s hope that this extreme experience, that can be 

probably compared to last century’s big wars, may 

help us in the long term to think about the limits 

and the need of science to build up a future putting 

in the middle of our development social, environmental 

and economic sustainability. 

 

by Alessandro Bignami 


THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 

quality speed 

reliability 

 

www.pompetravaini.com 

I L 

V E R O 

4 . 0 

a 

G E N E R A Z I O N E 

Pompetravaini Spa www.pompetravaini.com

Cover Story 

A strategic supplier 

for the pharma industry 

In order to ensure production during the coronavirus 

emergency, pharma companies increased their demand 

for quick calibrations and measuring equipment. 

Ellab Srl proves to be a reliable, skilled, future-oriented 

supplier who is ready to meet any need with promptness 

and flexibility. We talked about it with Alessandra Ferrari, 

the company business manager. 

by Eva De Vecchis 

In the picture: 

Alessandra 

Ferrari, 

Ellab Srl 

Business 

Manager 

Since 1977, Ellab Srl has 

been providing products 

and services ensuring and 

implementing the operational 

efficiency of production 

processes in the life science 

industry. The company offers a 

complete range of process and laboratory 

systems and tools to measure 

and monitor temperature, relative 

humidity, HVAC parameters, 

as well as solutions for thermal processes 

validation. The company is 

part of Ellab Group, Danish world 

leader in this field. Ellab Srl moreover 

relies upon a LAT N° 128 calibration 

laboratory accredited by 

Accredia and offers several services 

including the rental of measurement 

instruments. Pharma companies 

find in Ellab Srl a reference 

supplier of high precision instruments 

and a solid support to solve 

measurement, calibration and 

validation-related problems. We 

talked about all this, in early April 

during the coronavirus emergency, 

with Alessandra Ferrari, Ellab Srl 

Business Manager. 

How the demand from pharma 

companies that must face the 

coronavirus challenge has 

changed? 

As we all know, drug production 

is certainly included in 

the list of essential commodities 

for people’s life 

and health. Even more during 

the covid19 emergency, 

pharma companies had to go 

on being operational to meet 

the needs of those who need 

care. Ellab Srl never stops offering 

its constant commitment to ensure 

a total customer-satisfaction. Our 

calibration services ensure the appropriate 

operation of measurement 

instruments that, for pharma 

companies, are of key importance. 

In this period, the need of equipment 

hire has strongly grown, as 

well as the demand for a very fast 

calibration service. 


The company 

relies on a LAT 

n. 128 calibration 

laboratory, 

accredited 

by Accredia 

Cover Story 

How did you manage, from an organizational 

point of view, the 

sanitary emergency? 

Our company as well had to face 

a delicate situation, requiring an 

aware, but at the same time positive 

approach. With a sense of responsibility, 

we managed to be fully 

operational. We put in place all 

the measures indicated by the authorities 

to work safely: as to office 

activities, we relied upon the 

home office; in the laboratory, we 

offered the staff the necessary personal 

protection equipment and we 

introduced shifts in order to keep 

employees at least one meter away 

from one another. 



Cover Story 

A product 

by Hanwell, 

the British 

manufacturer 

of environmental 

monitoring 

technology, 

that has been 

recently taken 

over by Ellab 

Group 

bration laboratories. We had no 

reports of non-compliance of any 

kind, which makes us proud. We’ll 

go on investing on training and 

communication activities: in the 

face of a phenomenon that upsets 

interpersonal contacts, it is 

key for the brands to start initiatives 

to be closer to their customers. 

In the new headquarters 

we planned a meeting room to be 

used also for training courses: refresher 

courses will be focused not 

only on the tools we are selling, 

but also on the different technical 

subjects concerning our world: I 

think for instance about validations 

and environmental monitoring. 

This will bring users 

to focus on the features 

of the products we provide, 

but also to get 

to know our company 

better. 

Due to this pandemic, 

events and exhibitions 

were cancelled, but for us, 

they were fixed appointments, including 

the AFI Symposium and 

the CPhI exhibition. 

What about the novelties? 

Our novelties regard 

freeze drying processes: 

by the way Ellab is launching 

some prototypes to be 

tested at client companies. 

They are very small data loggers, 

equipped with wireless transmission, 

that are used to follow the 

temperature profile throughout the 

freeze drying process, with the option 

to get data in real time. These 

are customised solutions for each 

What can we learn from this situation 

for the future? 

I think this situation will leave the 

awareness we always have to improve 

and will give the chance to 

focus on structural problems. Today 

work is underway for a new 

headquarters: it is a building three 

times the size we occupy now, with 

a laboratory that would enable us 

to work at full power, also avoiding 

to alternate employees presence 

on the workplace. 

The current emergency showed 

us even more clearly the importance 

of technological and IT infrastructures: 

we are very satisfied 

about the success of remote 

inspections we were subjected to 

by Accredia, the body designated 

by the Italian Government 

to certify the competence 

of the accredited calicustomer, 

and they perfectly fit to 

any format. This occurs above all 

because in pharma companies, especially 

in freeze drying processes, 

the loading of the liostats is carried 

out automatically, without the 

intervention of operators. 

Moreover, we have recently made 

available Sterisense, a tool to run 

electronically the Bowie Dick test 

that is useful to easily check the 

autoclave is working correctly. Further 

new products will result from 

Ellab’s acquisition of Hanwell, a 

British manufacturer of environmental 

parameter wireless monitoring 

systems for whom we were 

already distributors in Italy, as 

well as from Ellab’s acquisition 

of a 30 employees-company specialised 

in validation services. The 

group, even in this difficult moment, 

is investing very much on 

calibration services on-site, both 

in Europe and in the USA. 


STAINLESS STEEL PUMPS AND FILTERS 

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Packingless plate filters. 

Working through 

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V. Cavour, 31 - 26858 Sordio (LO) - Italy - Tel. +39 02 9810153 - Fax. +39 02 98260169 

info@wolhfarth.it - www.wolhfarth.it


Push your immune system and energy with API Iron salts 

Dr. Paul Lohmann®, one of the world’s 

leading producers of iron salts as 

APIs, now presents two new references 

with characteristics that make 

them very well tolerated in the intestine 

and optimally absorbed by our 

body, for a full of energy and important 

support to the immune system. 

Normally iron salts can cause gastrointestinal 

side effects. Ferrous Bisglycinate 

is an organic Iron Salt with 

an excellent bioavailability. The absorption 

rate in the intestine is up to 

five times higher than for the benchmark 

Ferrous Sulfate. Iron Salts usually evoke gastro-intestinal side 

effects, but Ferrous Bisglycinate significantly decreases the occurrence 

of these side effects due to the chelate structure of this fully 

reacted Mineral. 

Dr. Paul Lohmann is the worldwide first manufacturer of Ferrous Bisglycinate 

as an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) including 

available regulatory documentation (DMF) to support the customers 

with a novel Iron active in pharmaceuticals and OTC products. 

The other new reference that has become part of the Dr. Paul 

Lohmann range is an API grade iron 

polymaltose complex, accompanied 

by all the regulatory documentation 

(DMF / ASMF) required for for the 

registration of a medicinal drug at 

the health authorities. 

Iron polymaltose complexes are 

mainly used for the treatment of 

iron deficiency anemia; some studies 

also suggest its application as a 

phosphate binder for the treatment 

of hyperphosphataemia. In general, 

they are appreciated for high bioavailability 

as well as for its high 

patient compliance due to less side effects related to the upper 

gastrointestinal tract. 

The products normally present on the market are characterized 

by high dustiness, a feature which complicate the production of 

pharmaceuticals. Dr. Paul Lohmann has developed a free-flowing 

and low-dust quality, perfectly suitable to produce tablets, capsules 

and syrups. 

API grade iron salts by Dr Paul Lohmann are distributed in Italy by 

Faravelli Pharma Division. For info: pharma@faravelli.it 

Products for medical and pharmaceutical applications 

Having been operating in the field of automation 

for more than 35 years, Gimatic Srl 

can today boast many successes in the 

pneumatic market, the same field in which 

it started to develop its first Handling 

products. 

Over the years, thanks to the evolution 

of technologies, Gimatic has expanded its 

range of products creating three new divisions: 

Plastic, Sensors and Mechatronics. 

The Mechatronics division is based on the 

use of the electricity as it is more suitable 

for medical and pharmaceutical applications 

than the pneumatic one. 

Gimatic put its electric gripper to the test 

and receives excellent results from the IPA 

Fraunhofer Institute of Stuttgard for the 

fields above mentioned. 

The MPPM-GMP-KIT is surely the Gimatic 

crown jewel. It is composed by an electric 

parallel gripper (MPPM1606) and a silicone 

cover. It is suitable for use in environment 

with low content of suspended particles. 

The gripper in the kit is a 2 jaw selfcentering 

parallel actuator, with plug and 

play and no electricity consumption when 

the gripper is engaged. It also has an excellent 

weight-dimension-force trade off. 

Mechatronics products are easy to use. This 

is due to the fact that the electric actuator 

does not require any programming because 

the electronic control has been expertly 

integrated inside the body. The weight of 

the compact grippers ranges from only 390 

grams to 890 grams, depending on the dimensions. 

They can be used on both sides 

and they grip both from the inside to the 

outside and vice versa. 

The actuators conform to European recommendations 

(CE) and the packaging is realized 

in line with the existing environmental 

disposal directives. 

Maintaining the same flexibility, Gimatic 

wishes to offer its costumers the unique 

opportunity to realise their ideas and expand 

the functions of existing technology 

by integrating additional components, such 

as a camera or sensors. 



Vacuum Drying Revolution 

Moving the frontier of innovation 

forward every day. This has always 

been Italvacuum’s mission, one 

of the leading manufacturers in 

the world of Vacuum pumps and 

Vacuum dryers for Pharmaceutical, 

Chemical, Fine Chemical and 

food industries. Now, forget convetional 

horizontal vacuum dryers: 

Planex® System is the cutting 

edge innovation designed 

and manufactured by Italvacuum. 

This patented machine introduces 

a real revolution in vacuum 

drying and is conquering all 

over the world the most demanding 

operators, guaranteeing results 

unthinkable until now with 

conventional systems. 

What makes Planex System so special? 

His eccentric agitator 

with two independent 

movements, 

able to rotate 

simultaneously 

on its own axis and 

tangentially to the 

drying chamber. The 

solution for drying wet 

dust from filtration or centrifugation, 

which is particularly suitable 

for the production of Active Pharmaceuticals 

Ingredients (APIs), 

Fine Chemicals and Intermediates. 

The combined double rotation of 

the stirrer and its small size, in relation 

to the diameter of the drying 

chamber, guarantee the perfect 

handling of the entire batch 

and allow to use at least three 

times less energy than traditional 

dryers. This means reducing the 

mechanical and thermal stress on 

the product to be dried by three 

times and guarantees the maximum 

respect of treated products, 

including the most delicate and 

Eccentric agitator with two 

indipendedent movements 

thermolabile materials. The Planex 

System meets the requirements of 

FDA and cGMP standards and can 

be manufactured according to AT- 

EX, UL, PED and ASME standards. 

The design of the system’s application 

software includes a program 

(Stop & Swing) that automatically 

manages the “settable 

pendulum” movement of the agitator 

shaft, ensuring continuous 

mixing of the product during the 

drying cycle and also allow an effective 

treatment of small batches. 

Minimum hold-up because 

the movements of the agitator 

blades, managed by a specific 

software, transport all the product 

residue into the discharge. 

Continuous Process Monitoring of Ozone, 

TOC and Conductivity 

AMI Codes-II O 3 

Colorimetric standard method according to DIN 38408-3, 

no sensitivity loss in absence of ozone. 

AMI LineTOC 

Early trend detection without laboratory measurements. 

Automatic System Suitability Test (SST) and calibration 

at minimized maintenance. 

AMU Pharmacon 

AMI LineTOC 

AMI Codes-II O 3 

AMU Pharmacon 

Conductivity transmitter according to USP in a 

standardized design and integrated temperature compensation. 

Swan Analitica Srl ∙ IT-16166 Genova 

www.swan.ch ∙ swan@swananalitica.it 

Pharmaceutical Water 

Ad_Pharmapalette_194x121.indd 1 30.06.2020 16:30:08


More than 50 years of process equipment 

Delta Costruzioni Meccaniche is an OEM with 

extensive experience in pressure vessels and 

machines for fine chemical and API production. 

Delta is especially known for: systems 

for liquid-solid separation (Nutsche filters 

or Nutsche filter dryers); systems for vacuum 

drying (paddle, conical vacuum dryers); 

reactors/tanks for chemical synthesis; heat 

exchangers. 

Its philosophy is based on four main points: 

design starting from the process; in-house 

development and construction; total customization; 

build with the highest quality. 

Delta’s history began in 1968 when the goal 

was to supply the growing Italian equipment 

market -for-chemical companies and 

to focus on simple pressure process vessels 

(tanks, reactors, heat exchangers, etc.). 

During the 1970s, Delta started to develop 

more complex systems in order to fulfill customers’ 

needs. In particular, following API 

(Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) producers, 

attention was directed towards equipment 

for: liquid/solid separation Nutsche filter 

dryers (DNFD); vacuum drying. 

This equipment was first installed on the 

following dates: 1986 (DNFD Delta Nutsche 

Filter Dryer); 1987 (DVRF Delta Horizontal 

Vacuum Dryer); 1995 (DCHD Delta Conical 

Helix Dryer). 

The 1990s were years of growth linked to 

internationalization. South Korea, China, 

Eastern Europe, Egypt, Israel, and the USA 

are some of the countries where Delta delivered 

its machines during this period. To continue 

to strengthen its worldwide presence, 

Delta became part of Polaris Group in 2009. 

Today, Delta continues its growth, providing 

effective and reliable added value to customers 

through its products. 

Drying, filtration, and washing are production 

steps that are normally handled by 

multiple machines. The DNFD Delta Nutsche 

Filter Dryer surpasses this traditional concept 

by combining operations and offering 

a more consolidated and flexible approach 

to the chemical process. 

The DNFD Delta Nutsche Filter Dryer is a 

batch machine that can perform multiple 

operations: filtration; washing; vacuum drying; 

automatic discharge of dried product. 

The intrinsic flexibility and versatility of the 

DNFD Delta Nutsche Filter Dryer offers several 

advantages: by having the integration of 

multiple production steps in one machine; 

the filtration and drying processes can be 

optimized together, leading to better results 

in terms of product quality; high-potency 

products are more easily managed 

when using a single machine for several 

operations. Material transfers are reduced. 

Because of its ability to combine multiple 

process steps, the DNFD Nutsche Filter Dryer 

can be applied in many industries, such as: 

API production; fine chemicals; plastics; dietary 

supplements/fragrances; chemical intermediates; 

precious metals/metals recycling; 

catalysts. 

Marchesini Group acquired three companies 

Marchesini Group closed 2019 with a consolidated turnover of 

441 million Euro, a repeat of the excellent performance in 2018. 

During the current year, the Marchesini Group has continued its 

production activities as steadily as possible, despite the sharp 

slowdown in the Italian and international economy caused by 

the Covid-19 pandemic. Notably, between February and June more 

than 50 virtual tests were carried out, which made it possible to 

respect the machine delivery times and maintain a stable economic 

outlook for the company. In the same period, a series of initiatives 

worth 500,000 Euro were also launched to ensure employee 

health, including sanitation measures, serological tests, safety 

devices, additional insurance and home educators and babysitters. 

Investments required for safety in the workplace were accompanied 

by those to develop two new stake holdings and an acquisition 

in the Italian mechanical and automation supply chain. 

The first company in which Marchesini has a stake is the Pianoro-based 

Carlo Corazza Srl, a historic brand that specialises 

in precision machining and special processes, with which 

Marchesini boasts a solid partnership. Founded in the ’70s, Carlo 

Corazza has developed over time and currently employs 23 people, 

with a turnover of 2 million Euro. 

Marchesini has also acquired a stake in FVM Srl, a Tuscan artisan 

manufacturing company (Monteriggioni, Siena) that has 

been producing small automatic machines and components for 

the pharmaceutical, diagnostic, cosmetic and food sectors since 

1992. With its entry into the Marchesini Group, FVM - which employs 

seven people and has a turnover of 800,000 Euro - will 

consolidate its existing collaboration with the Corima Division of 

the Marchesini Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers 

of packaging for drugs such as vaccines and anti-cancer drugs. 

Auteco Sistemi Srl, a software company in Lombardy (Pavia) 

that was founded in 1985 and develops solutions in the field 

of automation, process control and workflow digitalisation, has 

joined the Group. 


September/October 2020

Trends 

2.0 therapeutic support: 

the storytelling 

in the pharma industry 

Producing entertainment contents, 

in addition to information 

contents, is becoming increasingly 

important in the pharma world. 

Pharma companies focus on 

emotions to create empathy 

with patients and support them 

in the therapy. Along this line, 

the Medicom (Medical Comedy) 

educational TV series dedicated 

to prevention were developed. 

by Elena Marzorati 

“Life is a little 

bit like a journey 

against the tide, 

above all during 

the illness. But 

now that I’m 

well, I can say I 

really know my 

skin”. Susanna, 

influencer 

affected 

by chronic 

spontaneous 

urticaria 

Consumers evolution into 

more informed and aware 

subjects caused a transformation 

also in brand communication, 

requiring a 

higher effort to conquer their trust. 

For today’s companies, in fact, a unidirectional 

promotional communication 

of their products is no longer 

enough, but it is essential to involve 

their consumers differently, also producing 

contents capable of informing 

and entertaining them. This is 

one of the main tasks of storytelling, 

since it tells a story or it offers an 

entertainment experience that enables 

the consumer to identify himself 

and discover a product’s usefulness. 

If these trends involve one of 

the most risky and conservative industries, 

such as the pharma one, the 

challenge doubles since the need for 

more specific and profiled contents 

matches with a higher and more conscious 

communication ethics. Nevertheless 

branded content also arrived 

at the pharma industry, abroad 

it already exists in different shapes 

whose common denominator is the 

widespread use of storytelling. Starting 

from Novartis, that created the 

“Living like you” digital review to be 

closer to multiple sclerosis patients, 

up to Merck’s “Blue or Pink. A trip to 

fertility” documentary, to promote 

fertility therapies. And what about 

Italy? We’ll talk about it today with 

someone who has been dealing for 

many years with developing mini-fictions 

for some Italian divisions of big 

pharma companies, in which the key 

players are first of all the patients. 


Trends 

Here is an expert in branded content 

and entertainment: Dario Nuzzo. 

Why does storytelling work so well 

also in the pharma industry? 

I’d say it works so well above all in 

the pharma industry. When it comes 

to health, a higher relationship of 

trust comes into play among doctor, 

drug and patient, thus for a pharma 

company it is essential to connect to 

its own emotions to create empathy. 

On the set 

of the “On 

Susanna’s skin” 

web series, 

ranking first at 

Mediastars – the 

technical adv 

award – in the 

ethical-social 

category 

corporate 

identity section 

What are risks and advantages with 

using a branded content in this field? 

When a new concept is created, I 

speak from my experience, we always 

try to catch the ideal mindset 

of those who suffer from a specific 

pathology, by understanding his/her 

daily problems. Once the project is 

over, then, a big content analysis is 

also required since every single word 

might represent an important educational 

content. The healthy content 

has changed: it is not only intended 

as the absence of illness, but more 

in general, its management coincides 

with the research of wellbeing. 

What do you mean? 

In every story, a change of characters 

through a growth takes place. That is 

why the BC, as well as representing 

for the patient a direct identification 

testimony, also allows for an indirect 

education to good practices offering 

wellbeing advices in many fields. An 

example is the web series we produced 

for Novartis that was recently 

awarded by Mediastars, the advertising 

technical award. “On Susanna’s 

skin” is an insight into the life of an 

influencer and into her complex daily 

relationship with chronic spontaneous 

urticaria, a little known pathology 

which weakens in many everyday 

situations. That is why every episode 

was accompanied by support 

tutorials. 

Therefore, does it make sense to 

imagine a further video development 

about therapeutic support? 

Yes, of course! In Italy, online service 

users are growing, including 

doctors and patients, who are more 

inclined to interact in a virtual way. 

I think that, after what has recently 

occurred with Covid 19, it is more 

than ever the moment to use videos 

as prevention, therapeutic support 

and also training platform. Companies 

will increasingly have to integrate 

the drug supply with disclosure 

and therapy support services. 

For instance, at the end of last 

year for Novo Nordisk, we developed 

some videos on diabetes with insulin 

therapy treatment, for which 

specialist doctors were interviewed 

about various aspects of the pathology, 

for the duration of a ride by 

car. There are also some more videos 

testifying patients that cohabit 

every day with diabetes, as well 

as a webcast with all of the specialists 

involved. For Daiichi Sankyo, 

I’m presently working on an 

awareness project on hypercholesterolemia, 

quite a difficult challenge 

for a very special target. In 

the field of scientific training, I’m 

developing a project I’m very fond 

of: making ECM course much more 

interactive, by creating augmented 

reality contents, for example. 

Which further evolutions can we 

expect in the chemical-pharma 

and cosmetic industry? 

So many, because every company is 

increasingly becoming also the editor 

of its contents. Thus, we’ll assist 

in the future to the birth of entertainment 

formats and integrated 

communication platforms dedicated 

to therapeutic support. Roche, for 

instance, has already dedicated an 

online portal to diabetes, while our 

company, with Servier Italy, expressly 

created a sketchcom about therapeutic 

practice. It is the first time 

that a pharma company becomes the 

producer of an educational comic TV 

series wholly dedicated to prevention. 

We called this new genre “Medicom”, 

standing for Medical Comedy. 

We are presently working for Novo 

Nordisk on a web series about dia- 

Dario Nuzzo 

is a freelancer 

author and 

journalist 

specialising in 

branded content 

and branded 

entertainment 

in the chemicalpharma 

field www. 

darionuzzo. 

com/pharma 



Trends 

On the set 

of “Chronic 

impatients”, 

the educational 

sketchcom 

produced 

for Servier Italy 

A shoot from 

LeniCup fields, 

the 11-a 

side under 

13 football 

tournament 

organised by 

Polisportive 

Giovanili 

Salesiane and 

supported 

by Eg SpA with 

Lenirit brand 

betes that is entirely set in a digital 

context, also to cope with the Covid-19-related 

problems on sets. 

Then, cosmetics as well is developing 

products that increasingly include a 

“digital extension”: I wrote about it 

on Grazia magazine in the wellbeing 

section with the article “The face of 

the future”, little time ago. 

Thus, also the pharma industry will 

produce entertainment in some 

ways… 

It may seem strange, but certainly 

yes! Branded entertainment is the 

next frontier. And it won’t be only 

an interactive experience at an 

exhibition stand to impress visitors, 

but something directly involving 

people. I know EG SpA supported, 

with the Lenirit brand a whole 

football tournament organized with 

Polisportive Giovanili Salesiane to 

raise awareness to first aid and fair 

play values. In 2010 I had a very 

successful test experience with Euticals, 

developing Favolé, an awareness 

project for Lombardy-based 

schools. Who knows what else 

awaits us tomorrow. 

From what I read, you are fond of 

educational entertainment. For instance, 

if I say Pinocchio? 

With Pinocchio I have a challenging 

but very satisfying relationship, 

that has been lasting for 12 years 

now. I started collaborating with 

Collodi Foundation, the body dealing 

with the protection of the work, 

in 2008 and since then we’ve developed 

many projects also involving 

design companies, schools and 

brands. The latest-one last year: I 

designed an immersive path at Collodi 

park, the Pinocchio’s park, where 

you can relive the tale in a digital 

mode. In the pharma world instead, 

Pinocchio already engaged himself 

to raise awareness about good eye 

hygiene practices with an educational 

project developed for Bausch&Lomb 

“Occhio Pinocchio, Viaggio 

nel paese di BeiOcchi”. 

In your past, there is also the children’s 

TV… 

Yes. I started by creating a format 

for children, Mukko Pallino, on local 

broadcasters and then I had the luck 

to look after musical animated videos 

of great classics for children, such 

as “Le tagliatelle di nonna Pina”, “44 

gatti”, “Il gatto puzzolone” that had 

millions visualizations on YouTube, 

until working at Mediaset as author 

and host. But this is another story. 

Let’s make a practical example. 

What about requiring such a project? 

Do companies go directly to 

you? 

In reality, companies express a “sentiment” 

to their agencies, i.e. they 

aim at moving their patients focusing 

on different subjects that are 

strictly connected to the pathology 

to be treated. And that’s where 

I come in. The agency usually contacts 

me and after all relevant analysis, 

I write down the first concepts 

that then become scripts, screenplays 

and storyboards, always keeping 

in touch with the pharma company. 

According to you, the branded 

content in the pharma industry is 

without risks. 

On the contrary, behind the writing 

of every work, there is the huge spectrum 

of ethical communication, as it 

should be. Moreover I often collaborate 

with the International University 

research group Family and Media, 

subsequently ethics in communication 

for me, as well as a creed, is 

a responsibility. In the branded content 

web series for the pharma industry, 

you’ll never find specific products, 

but everybody works to increasingly 

approach the patient’s psychological 

condition, trying to offer him 

all the tools he needs to appropriately 

manage his pathology. 


Trends 

Where personalized medicine 

is already effective 

In modern medicine, tailor-made therapies 

are becoming increasingly important. 

Tangible successes are already evident in HIV 

and cancer. According to vfa (Verband der 

forschenden Pharma-Unternehmen – the German 

association of research-based pharmaceutical 

companies), some 67 drugs are currently being 

used in a “personalized” manner in Germany. 

Photo by Messe 

München GmbH 

medicine 

is the medicine of the 

future,” says Dr. Richard 

Mitreiter, Head of 

“Personalized 

Department at the 

German Aerospace Center (DLR), Project 

Management Health for the Federal 

Ministry of Education and Research 

(BMBF). The ongoing rapid technological 

development in life sciences, biomedicine 

and information technology 

has opened up fascinating perspectives 

for the development of novel treatment 

approaches that are optimized for individuals 

and specific patient groups. 

“The challenge of the coming decade 

is to develop sustainable solutions for 

clinical practice and marketable product 

innovations from the many-faceted 

results of research. This also includes 

finding suitable models for reimbursement 

in the healthcare system 

and developing the regulatory framework 

further,” explains Mitreiter. “Since 

2013, the Federal Ministry of Education 

and Research – the BMBF – has invested 

some 360 million euros from project 

funding and significant amounts 

from institutional funding into personalized 

medicine, and will continue to 

support this.” 

Diagnosis and therapy in tandem 

“Personalized medicine has advanced 

rapidly in recent years. The prerequisite 

for this was the mapping and decoding 

of the genome,” asserts Dr. Martin Walger, 

Managing Director of the German Diagnostics 

Industry Association (VDGH). 

The decoding of the human genome and 

the resulting possibilities of modern ge- 


Trends 

netic diagnostics have significantly accelerated 

this trend. Standardized therapy 

concepts have so far often been 

aimed at overall patient groups, without 

taking into account the health status 

of each individual and his or her 

physical condition, and without differentiation 

according to age and sex. Accordingly, 

drugs and therapies for identical 

diseases would show differing degrees 

of efficiency, ranging from highly 

efficient to completely ineffective. 

Hence, today’s medical research focuses 

on the development of new types 

of individual-oriented diagnostic procedures 

and innovative drugs for bespoke 

treatment approaches. 

Oncological patients in particular benefit 

from the fact that companion diagnostics 

provide important information 

before and during treatment: this information 

enables a tailored therapy approach 

and shows whether a drug is or 

is not suitable and effective. “Molecular 

genetic methods such as next-generation 

sequencing (NGS) technologies 

can now be used to create comprehensive 

tumor profiles or even entire genome 

sequencings in a short time,” explains 

Walger. For this reason, individualized 

or “personalized” treatment 

methods are already being successfully 

used today in diagnostics and therapy 

for breast and colon cancer. In the case 

of colorectal cancer, for example, a genetic 

test on a tissue sample from the 

tumor can now be used to determine 

exactly which drugs are suitable for a 

particular patient, and which are not. 

Personalized therapies also yield treatment 

successes in the case of HIV-induced 

immunodeficiency and certain 

infectious diseases such as hepatitis. 

Modern diagnostics not only provides 

the pre-tests necessary for successful 

application of personalized medicine, 

but also enables increasingly better 

differential diagnosis. Today, six genotypes 

of hepatitis C viruses can already 

be distinguished in the laboratory. 

Use in oncology 

Personalized medicine has had its 

greatest successes so far in oncology, 

where personalization is of particular 

importance for efficient treatment. 

Cancer cells arise through mutations. 

However, not all cancers are the same. 

In tumor tissues from different patients 

with the same type of cancer, the mutations 

found are yet not necessarily the 

same. However, whether certain therapies 

are effective or not depends on 

the mutations. Immunoglobulins such 

as the monoclonal antibodies cetuximab 

(trade name Erbitux; Eli Lilly, Bristol-Myers 

Squibb, Merck) or panitumumab 

(trade name Vectibix; Amgen) 

can be effective in advanced colorectal 

cancer only if the KRAS gene has not 

mutated yet. A genetic test can now be 

used to determine by taking a tissue 

sample from the tumor whether or not 

the drugs are effective for the particular 

patient. Thanks to tissue diagnostics, 

tumors and metastases can be precisely 

identified in oncology, which enables 

more precise monitoring and opens up 

prospects for tailored treatment. 

Knowledge of the genetic data enables 

earlier and more precise diagnosis, 

more effective prevention, and optimized 

treatment. Here it is important 

to elucidate and understand the 

processes in the body. In this way, the 

mechanisms of action of relevant drugs 

can be specifically determined in order 

to develop tailor-made therapies. Successes 

with personalized therapy approaches 

have been achieved in breast, 

colon and lung cancer, as well as in rare 

malignant tumor diseases such as mantle 

cell lymphoma. 

Breast cancer patients whose tumor 

cells overexpress the special growth 

factor receptor HER2 can be treated 

with anti-HER2 therapy (trade names 

Herceptin, Perjeta; Roche) based on 

the active ingredients trastuzumab or 

pertuzumab. 

Certain lung cancers can also be treated 

with targeted drugs. For example, in 

some non-small cell lung tumors, the 

active ingredient erlotinib (trade name 

Tarceva; Roche) can be used to inhibit 

the EGFR gene, which shows specific 

mutations in lung cancer. The ALK mutation 

that is frequently found in nonsmall 

cell lung cancer can likewise be 

treated with the targeted drug alectinib 

(trade name Alecensa; Roche). 

The battle against Parkinson’s and 

Alzheimer’s diseases 

In addition to the wide application 

range of personalized medicine in personalized 

cancer therapy, personalized 

High-tech 

lab: Analytical 

technology is 

an important 

source of 

impulses for 

the tailor-made 

development 

of active 

substances. 

(Photo by 

Messe München 

GmbH) 



Trends 

Photo by EBM+ 

diagnosis is also used against Parkinson’s 

and Alzheimer’s diseases, as well 

as in the field of intestinal microbiology 

and personalized hearing support. 

The therapeutic options for Parkinson’s 

disease address the causal chain in order 

to detect causally involved molecular 

defects on the one hand, and to 

study pathological -synuclein species 

and their propagation on the other. 

-synuclein (encoded by the SNCA 

gene) is a transport protein in the brain 

that regulates the release of dopamine. 

Mutations in the SNCA gene are responsible 

for certain inheritable forms of 

Parkinson’s disease. The drugs available 

today can only protect the dopaminergic 

nerve cells from damage and 

thus halt the progression of the disease. 

Hopes are pinned on research into the 

antioxidant coenzyme Q10, which may 

be of particular benefit to patients with 

impaired mitochondrial function. 

Research into new anti-Alzheimer drugs 

also enjoys high priority in the pharmaceutical 

industry. However, the success 

rate is sobering. Nevertheless, the 

important finding has been made that 

treatment with drugs for slowing down 

or prevention must be started very early. 

This has become possible because 

both -amyloid and tau fibrils, two different 

protein compounds characteristic 

of Alzheimer’s disease, can now be 

detected using non-invasive imaging 

techniques. These two protein deposits 

disturb communication in and between 

the nerve cells to such an extent 

that the nerve cells die. This 

is because Alzheimer’s disease 

alters degradation of 

the amyloid precursor protein 

found in the organism. 

The -amyloid proteins thus produced 

in the course of the disease accumulate 

as toxic oligomers and lump 

together to form insoluble deposits between 

the nerve cells. These so-called 

-amyloid plaques, also known as 

Alzheimer plaques, can then no longer 

be broken down by the body. 

The tau protein in turn helps to form 

microtubules in healthy cells and is 

thus responsible for the stability and 

nutrient supply of the cells. In Alzheimer’s 

disease, the tau protein is chemically 

altered so that it is deposited in 

the form of fibers, the so-called tau fibrils. 

As a result, the diseased nerve 

cells lose their shape and function until 

they decay. Drugs with active ingredients 

such as aducanumab (Biogen), 

solanezumab (Eli Lilly) or gantenerumab 

(Roche), which are designed to prevent 

and reduce formation of plaques, 

are in the test phase and await marketing 

authorization. Therapeutic active 

vaccines to be administered concomitantly 

with the actual treatment 

are also in the trial phase in the fight 

against Alzheimer’s disease. 

Predicting strokes 

“Predictive stroke modeling enables 

person-related prediction of strokes, 

since it integrates multidisciplinary 

sources such as genomics, biochemistry, 

social issues, lifestyle, sex, or the 

working environment,” explains VDGH 

Managing Director Walger. “One recent 

achievement is the liquid-biopsy 

method.” The latter enables detection 

of circulating tumor cells or tumor 

DNA in the blood. This requires highly 

sensitive detection methods such as 

advanced polymerase chain reaction 

(PCR) and next-generation sequencing 

(NGS) technologies. “In the next few 

years, liquid biopsies are likely to become 

more and more important alongside 

conventional biopsies, i.e. sampling 

of tissue and its histopathological 

examination, also because they are 

less invasive for the patient,” says Walger. 

Liquid biopsies can be used for early 

detection of tumors in screening, for 

therapy monitoring, or for estimating 

an individual risk of metastasis. 

Bioanalysis as stimulator 

Pivotal for these medical successes are 

high-resolution analysis as well as biotechnological 

and chemical research. 

Biotechnological advances in particular 

are important for novel developments 

in the drug discovery field of 

pharmaceutical research and point-ofcare 

diagnostics. 

Efficient development of highly effective 

substances is possible only in high-tech 

laboratories with powerful automated 

analysis systems and high-throughput 

sequencing. Analytical technology 

is an important source of impulses for 

the tailor-made development of active 

substances. Target-oriented studies of 

drug interactions and target binding of 

active ingredients would not be possible 

without automated procedures such 

as high-throughput screening and biotechnological 

methods. 

Modern analysis and molecular genetics 

methods make it possible to elucidate 

genetic and biological processes, 

demystify molecular structures and 

switch points, and understand the 

mechanisms of gene expression in order 

to successfully apply targeted individualized, 

tailor-made therapeutic 

concepts. A key role is played by disease-specific 

biomarkers that provide 

scientists with meaningful information 

about the type, molecular cause, and 

status of the disease. “The diagnostics 

industry is cooperating closely with the 

pharmaceutical industry on research in- 


Trends 

to biomarkers and the development of 

corresponding tests, which are a prerequisite 

for personalized medicine,” 

adds VDGH Managing Director Walger. 

As a result, targeted therapies can 

be initiated for various types of cancer, 

such as breast, colon or lung cancer, 

and for HIV, significantly increasing 

the success of treatment. 

Personalized gene therapies, regenerative 

medicine, tissue engineering and 

bioprinting likewise open up new paths 

in tissue and organ research. Functional 

organ structures from so-called biofabrication 

for intelligent therapies are 

based on the use of tailor-made biomaterials 

such as functional peptides, and 

allow novel individual treatment methods. 

It is thus possible to grow certain 

cell cultures and tissue structures 

in culture and nutrient media for use 

as implants in orthopedic, plastic and 

cardiovascular surgery. Human in-vitro 

models based on human cells, in particular 

from the human liver, are already 

being developed by Hepacult. 

The potential of personalized 

medicine 

The member surveys of the VDGH show 

that personalized medicine has gained 

importance for more and more companies 

in the in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry. 

While in 2016 there were about 

27 percent of the IVD companies surveyed 

active in this field, the share 

had grown to more than 61 percent by 

2019, and the trend is still upwards. 

“Researchers predict that in the future 

most types of cancer will be diagnosable 

at an early stage thanks to genetic 

blood tests,” says Walger. “A prerequisite 

for this is development of validated 

biomarkers with high sensitivity 

in order to be able to detect the 

disease in the pre-symptomatic stage. 

This is one of the tasks and challenges 

the life science and diagnostics industries 

are working on. On the therapeutic 

side, developments in immunoncology, 

cell therapy and gene therapy are decisive 

fields in which a great deal is already 

happening today and will be even 

more so in the next five to eight years.” 

According to the VDGH, progress has 

been made in recent years in the reimbursement 

of companion diagnostics 

by statutory health insurance. “If 

use of a medicinal product requires prior 

testing, a remuneration figure for the 

test procedure must be agreed upon in 

due time. This automatism promotes 

implementation of personalized medicine 

outside the inpatient setting,” explains 

Walger. 

Digitization and data management 

are a key to success 

Computer-aided drug design and 

next-generation ultra-high-throughput 

methods generate gigantic amounts of 

data very quickly. Here, digitization creates 

the necessary basis for meaningful 

evaluations and efficient data management 

for biobanks, peptide libraries, 

or patient data. Further successes 

in personalized medicine will crucially 

depend on digitization. Innovative 

and fast technologies that enable ever 

more precise diagnostics in ever shorter 

times generate enormous quantities 

of data that need to be stored, analyzed 

and intelligently merged. “With 

each data set, the understanding of diseases 

improves, patterns can be recognized, 

and indications for new treatment 

strategies can be derived. This 

means an enormous transfer effort. Intelligent 

information and data management 

- and this also includes the possibility 

of using data from care reality 

- are the prerequisite for this,” according 

to Walger. 

Laboratory 

equipment at 

the analytica: 

Effective 

and precise 

diagnostics 

is ultimately 

the crucial 

prerequisite for 

more treatment 

successes 

in personalized 

medicine 

(Photo by 

Messe München 

GmbH) 



Trends 

Next-generation technologies 

at analytica 

Next-generation technologies from biological 

and genetic research, diagnostics 

and analysis are the pacemakers 

for Personalized Medicine. The latest 

trends from these areas will be 

presented to the experts at analytica 

2020. The trade fair comprehensively 

presents cutting-edge technologies 

and future-oriented methods. To discuss 

their experiences, international 

experts and the global players meet in 

Munich, where the know-how of the industry 

and the latest state of the art will 

be exemplified. 

The user is presented with well-structured 

and comprehensive practical 

system solutions, which allow shorter 

analysis and test times as well as 

better interpretation possibilities of 

the measurement results and central 

availability of meaningful data 

to be achieved. New diagnostic possibilities 

and individual therapies are 

possible only through novel molecular 

genetic methods, as presented at 

analytica. Effective and precise diagnostics 

is ultimately the crucial prerequisite 

for more treatment successes 

in personalized medicine. 

Source: analytica - Messe München 

Analytica 2020 gets a digital extension 

With the new format analytica virtual, 

the world’s leading trade fair for laboratory 

technology, analysis and biotechnology 

also enables those exhibitors 

and visitors to participate who 

due to travel restrictions cannot come 

to Munich. In addition, parts of 

the analytica supporting program will 

be available in digital form. analytica 

virtual will supplement the classic a- 

nalytica in Munich (October 19 to 22), 

but will be open for one day longer. 

With this complementary offering, a- 

nalytica underscores its importance 

as the most important platform for the 

industry: Even in the year of the corona 

crisis, it will present the decisive 

innovations to a global audience and 

facilitate exchange between experts. 

“It is our aspiration to host the most 

important platform for the laboratory 

industry worldwide. We are 

pleased that even in these difficult 

times we can offer our customers 

the trade fair experience that is optimal 

for them – either on-site in Munich 

or virtually via our new digital 

platform,” says Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer, 

Deputy Chairman of the Management 

Board of Messe München. 

As part of analytica, analytica virtual 

will be an online trade fair with 

virtual exhibition booths. There, visitors 

can view product presentations, 

Photo by Messe München GmbH 

download flyers, and contact the respective 

exhibitor directly via a text, 

audio and video chat function. The 

virtual trade fair will be open 24 hours 

a day from October 19 to 23, 2020. 

Product novelties and product innovations 

from all fields of laboratory and 

analytical technology for the target industries 

of chemistry, biotech, pharmaceuticals 

and foodstuffs are going 

to be presented. In addition, webinars 

and parts of the classic analytica supporting 

program are to be made available 

via the platform. Important events 

will be repeated at different times of 

the day to reach interested parties in 

distant time zones as well. One of a- 

nalytica’s highlights, the special show 

Digital Transformation, will be present 

both in Munich and at analytica virtual. 

The show illustrates the state of laboratory 

automation in a presentation 

that is unique in the world. 

Messe München is hosting analytica 

virtual in collaboration with Lumitos 

AG. “I am very pleased that 

Messe München and Lumitos a- 

re combining their many years of 

experience in specialist trade fairs 

and B2B online portals in the context 

of analytica virtual. This creates 

an unprecedented trade fair experience 

for visitors and exhibitors 

from all over the world, with completely 

new opportunities and outreach,” 

says Lumitos’s Managing 

Director Stefan Knecht. 

Concomitantly with analytica virtual, 

the classic analytica will take place 

at the exhibition grounds in Munich 

from October 19 to 22. In order to 

ensure the safety of all participants, 

Messe München is implementing a 

protection and hygiene concept a- 

dopted by the Bavarian state government, 

which is based on rules that 

currently also apply in many areas of 

daily life (supermarkets, catering). In 

China, Messe München has already 

demonstrated that even in the times 

of COVID-19 safe, attractive and e- 

conomically successful industry platforms 

are possible: On the first weekend 

of July it successfully hosted 

four major trade fairs in Shanghai. 

LASER World of PHOTONICS CHI- 

NA alone registered 57,135 visitors 

from the field and 819 exhibitors. 


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Safety 

On the trail of the future 

The expansion on the 

emerging markets. The 

reinforcement of the 

partnership with IMA, 

for inspection, track&trace 

and smart data management. 

The TrackMyHealth platform 

to support companies in the 

post-Covid19 challenge. 

The software AVionics for 

the maximum efficiency 

of the production processes. 

The 2020 of Antares Vision 

is full of enthusiastic results 

and encouraging goals. 

For Antares Vision 2020 – quoted 

at AIM Italia and global 

leader in the complete 

process of protecting products 

throughout their life-cycle 

by delivering quality control inspection 

systems, track&trace solutions 

for the control of the supply 

chain, smart data management for 

production efficiency and consumer 

involvement in all the most demanding 

industries, including the pharma, 

biomedical devices, food and beverage, 

cosmetics and fashion – started 

with a very ambitious goal: focusing 

on the expansion on emerging 

markets, such as Brazil, Russia, 

China, India, South America and 

South Eastern Asia, geographical areas 

where in 2019, the company already 

based various headquarters to 

expand its business. 

Inspection systems: the collaboration 

with IMA consolidated 

Antares Vision is increasingly aiming 

at global markets and has just inau- 

gurated a partnership with IMA, one 

of the Italian world packaging leaders, 

with which Antares Vision has 

been collaborating for over 20 years, 

starting when it still had a different 

name. Based in Bologna, Ima, 

in fact, confirmed the collaboration 

with Antares through a 5-year agreement 

for implementation of innovative 

solutions through a unique and 

complete platform to integrate the 

supply of inspection systems with 

smart data track&trace and management 

along the whole supply chain. 

The agreement with IMA will allow 

Antares to penetrate new sectors 

more quickly, consistently with its 

mission to export its high-value offering 

into high-potential sectors, 

beyond pharmaceuticals. Two global 

leaders promoting the digitization 

of the supply chain, with the applications 

of the future: from automation, 

to interconnection, through to 

smart data management, to guarantee 

Trustparency® – the transparency 

that generates trust. 


Safety 

Better skills in serialization software 

systems 

The acquisition on 10th April 2020 of 

Tradecity d.o.o., a company founded 

in Zagabria (Croatia) in 2017 and specialized 

in the software management 

of advanced traceability processes 

(serialization) falls within the framework 

of the strategy of extending Antares 

Vision’s geographical presence 

also in Eastern Europe –to strengthen 

internal resources for the development 

of traceability and serialization 

software solutions, dedicated to all 

the different players in the pharmaceutical 

supply chain (distributors, 

CMOs, 3PLs, …), up to the regulatory 

bodies, thereby enhancing data 

management and interconnection. 

Safer companies and commercial 

services with TrackMyHealth 

During Covid19 sanitary emergency, 

that starting from China engulfed the 

whole world, the Brescia-based company 

not only by birth, but also by 

character, has certainly not shied 

away from its responsibilities, and 

exploiting its know-how in digital 

health, launched the TrackMyHealth 

platform to help companies and commercial 

services to face Phase 2 and 

3 in full safety. “In this process of 

drug and treatment dispensing renewal 

that also aims at reducing the 

huge costs of health management – 

Emidio Zorzella, Antares Vision President 

and CEO comments – we offered 

this portal very quickly: its purpose is 

to facilitate phase 2 and 3 to recover 

the ordinary life as soon as possible. 

The portal’s primary purpose is to 

check the body temperature of people 

entering a big building, including 

theaters, malls and so on through a 

thermal imaging camera and without 

the need of a person appointed to do 

so. It is a kind of “electronic steward” 

considering that, as well as temperature, 

it also checks people wearing 

the mask and behaviours that take into 

account social distancing. In practice 

the portal interfaces with the video 

surveillance systems that are already 

present in the buildings, as well 

as with systems equipped with automatic 

badges”. In a period of profound 

upheavals that unavoidably have led 

to a change in our way of living and 

intending sociality, the Antares Vision’s 

TrackMyHealth platform represents 

a sort of guarantor of transparency 

and trust towards citizens. 

Innovation and sustainability 

Yet, Antares Vision’s innovation, 

that has always represented a company 

value, is also focusing on environmental, 

economic and social sustainability 

with a medium-long term 

strategy aiming at ensuring the transparency 

of information along product 

distribution channel, for people’s 

safety and every product consumed, 

through systems that show information 

about product origin, with all 

due respect for sustainability. That is 

why, the company prepared programs 

to improve the energy efficiency of 

its facilities, as well as a growing 

use of renewable energies, eliminating 

the use of plastic as much as possible 

even in the offices (the company's 

participation to the #plasticfree 

campaign dates back to 2019, as well 

as to the #iosonoambiente project 

promoted by the Ministry of Environment 

with the elimination of disposable 

plastic bottles in favor of stainless 

steel bottles and the subsequent 

reduction of over 3,000 water bottles 

per month in the Travagliato-based 

headquarters). Paper was eliminated 

as well (for instance by digitalizing 

all of the documents including 

plant manuals). A platform for sorted 

refuse collection was activated, 

too. Within this framework, BNL recognized 

to Antares Vision’s sustainability 

program a special support of 

2 million euros to go on investing 

in projects and initiatives improving 

the company’s sustainable approach. 

Artificial intelligence 

The CEO specifically talks about the 

development plan envisaged for the 

next few years to focus on the renewed 

release of AVionics, the software 

that, through data collection, 

processing and management, even 

through AI algorithms, allows to get 

valuable information in real time, 

about the line, the plant and the 

company. The data intelligence landscape 

system works through a system 

of modules capable of collecting different 

types of data (from lines, ma- 

Massimo 

Bonardi (on 

the left) and 

Emidio Zorzella, 

Antares Vision 

co-founders 

Serialization 

of pharma 

products 



Safety 

Exploiting 

production 

smart data, 

Avionics 

software 

optimizes 

process 

efficiency 

in real time 

chinery, quality control) and to interconnect 

different equipment and 

machinery, as well as to be integrated 

into MES, ERP or other production 

management systems, for the purpose 

of monitoring performances and maximizing 

the results of a plant, manufacturing 

processes, and production 

skills thanks to an overall management 

of the generated data. AVionics 

monitors production status, instant 

and accumulated speed, overall 

equipment efficiency and camera 

performances. Its ergonomic dashboard 

reports the performances of 

all OEE production parameters in real-time. 

“Our data management solutions 

operate in real time alongside 

the production and quality processes 

and provide information on useful 

values to help guide future businesses 

- says Emidio Zorzella, CEO of 

Antares Vision –. A future, which is 

now marked by the digital transformation, 

with companies where all the 

relevant data are interconnected, aggregated, 

analyzed and used proactively, 

within a smart ecosystem. A 

data analysis that opens up unique 

opportunities and allows companies 

to be highly competitive, providing 

the best picture of market demands 

and maximizing business opportunities. 

A true production intelligence 

that offers a significant advantage to 

decision-makers thanks to the digitalization 

of their business, optimizing 

costs, improving quality, accelerating 

innovation and redefining the 

customer experience”. 

AVionics consists of five modules 

that can be implemented independently 

or in combination with 

each other to better collect and interpret 

data, with different purposes 

for each module. 

AVionics Performance: monitors 

productivity performance and KPIs, 

analyses and plans trends, is able to 

identify the best performance at line, 

plant and company level; 

AVionics Quality: collects data from 

quality controls through a statistical 

check of processes based on their 

quality and variability, capable of 

constructing models and trends in 

order to create predictive analyses; 

AVionics Manager: controls and optimises 

the entire production process 

(from the line or from the control 

room) thanks to a centralised storage 

that allows an exchange of input 

and output data and to make decisions 

based on occurring events; 

AVionics Maintenance: helps to improve 

performance by directing predictive 

and preventive system technical 

maintenance; 

AVionics Sustainability: collects electricity 

consumption data and specific 

parameters related to the environmental 

impact in order to reduce consumption, 

waste, improve ROI, document 

and improve the environmental 

profile of products. 

Thanks to AVionics, Antares Vision is 

able to design and implement new additional 

and tailor-made functionalities 

for all five modules. Furthermore, 

through artificial intelligence algorithms 

based on machine-learning processes, 

it can further enhance system 

accuracy and reliability over time. AVionics, 

in addition to the ease of installation 

and integrated connectivity that 

allows the software to adapt to existing 

systems on the production lines without 

affecting validation procedures and 

performance, therefore provides multiple 

benefits: 

• constant monitoring of the performance 

of processes and KPIs on all levels 

(lines, plants, company) through 

customizable and user-friendly dashboards, 

to achieve a constant and 

complete control in real time. 

• strategic support to coordinate 

all the production departments with 

targeted actions in real time, to plan 

and improve current and future activities, 

based on trends and history. 

• a continuous improvement through 

artificial intelligence that grants access 

to the information needed to 

quickly make decisions in order to 

keep production planning efficient; 

• a sustainable technology that helps 

companies reduce consumption and 

waste in order to increase ROI and 

improve the environmental impact of 

production. 

 


Machines 

Contained milling process: 

an integrated know how 

Nuova Guseo’s containment systems are capable of combining 

the special attention paid to the needs of protection, 

with the high ergonomic level for the operator, concepts that 

characterize the configurations in the various areas of application. 

by Gherardo Marchini, Export Manager, Nuova Guseo 

High containment 

multi-chamber 

isolator for 

calibration and 

micronization 

activities 

The isolation technology in 

recent years is playing a role 

of growing importance, this 

is mainly due to the well-established 

trend, especially 

in the chemical and pharmaceutical 

field, to treat substance and/or develop 

molecules with high activity and 

toxicity (API, Active Pharmaceutical 

Ingredient - HPAPI, High Potency Active 

Pharmaceutical Ingredient), this 

in conjunction with the increased attention 

paid to the problem of security 

and protection: for the operator 

as well for the product and its immediate 

environment. 

There is no single standard for establishing 

the level of exposure to the 

substance acceptable to the operator; 

the most internationally used index 

are the OEL (Occupational Exposure 

Limit) and the OEB (Occupational 

Exposure Band). 

The index OEL defines the average 

concentration (g/m 3 ) of a substance 

measured for 8 hours in the air 

breathed by an operator in the work 

environment. Therefore the term 

"containment" refers to the process 

of input of a biological agent (i.e. 

active medicinal products, pathogens) 

or of another substance within 

a defined area. 

The index OEB (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) is assigned 

on the basis of the toxicity of 

a given substance in a pure state in 

order to a classification of the plants. 

Each OEB level corresponds to a range 

of OEL values, the so-called “containment 

pyramid” summarizes the various 

exposure levels and the associated 

risk, thanks to which it is possible 

to identify the most appropriate 

preventive measures and select devices 

and manufacturing processes more 

suitable for a given product. 

The design and manufacturing criteria 

of the Nuova Guseo isolators, in compliance 

with the international reference 

standards, provide for: 

• high degree of internal finish in 

order to avoid the accumulation of 

treated substances while the control 

of air flows minimizes the contact of 

the product with the internal surface 

of the processing chambers; all this in 

order to facilitate cleaning operations 

when changing the product; 

• internal washing devices with relative 

draining bottom in which the 


Machines 

contaminated liquid is conveyed; 

• ergonomic design for easy access to 

all internal surfaces and to the work 

areas in relation to the process performed 

in them (possibility of performing 

ergonomic tests on simulacrum 

- mock up test); 

• use of glove ports, of variable shape 

and size, made of different materials, 

suitable for easy replacement of the 

gloves maintaining the integrity of 

the system; 

• use of gloves of different sizes and 

materials in relation to operational 

needs, the characteristics of the 

washing solvents used and the product 

to be handled; 

• use of high efficiency filters of different 

types (screwed, push-through, 

push-push, bag in bag out), which 

can be replaced in safe conditions for 

the operator; 

• prearrangement for the installation/integration 

of product transfer 

systems, process tools and discharge 

of waste material (continuous liner, 

RTP, split valve, etc.); 

• appropriate instrumentation and 

alarm signaling according to operational 

and safety requirements; 

• variously implementable control 

systems; from the basic configurations 

for controlling the internal negative 

pressure regime and any interlocks, 

up to the more sophisticated 

solutions with PLC and GAMP 5 - CFR 

21 compliant software; 

• safety tests: leak test as per ISO 

10648-2, helium test. 

Nuova Guseo’s containment systems 

are capable of combining the special 

attention paid to the needs of 

protection, with the high ergonomic 

level for the operator, concepts 

that characterize our configurations 

in the various areas of application, 

such as: loading and unloading of reactors 

and filters dryers, centrifugal 

discharge, laboratory analytical ac- 

tivities, weighing and dispensing and 

much more. 

In this context the consolidated knowhow, 

both in the milling and containment 

sectors, has enabled Nuova Guseo 

to fully understand the critical 

process safety aspects and problems 

related to the need to avoid environmental 

contamination by managing a 

milling process in a contained way, 

offering to the market perfectly integrated 

process solutions. 

We pay now particular attention to 

some examples of realized configurations 

that combine this integrated 

know-how in strict compliance with 

current Good Manufacturing Practices, 

and operating by important pharmaceutical 

companies around the world. 

Example of particular interest is represented 

by a multi-chamber isolator, 

for calibration and micronization activities, 

configured for a containment 

level in band 5 (OEB5). 

The system consists of a material inlet 

pre-chamber, a central chamber 

where the jetmill (our model M200), 

is housed connected with a screw 

feeder in a wall mounted configuration 

(motorization group outside the 

working chamber), increasing in thus 

the operating space within the same. 

The central chamber is connected to 

a double stage gas-solid separation 

chamber, with a bag filter “octopus” 

type in the upper section - equipped 

with pneumatic shaking for an effective 

product recovery action - and a 

lower section, with a double continuous 

liner system for the bagging and 

outlet of the processed product, ensuring 

the high containment performance 

required. 

The chambers work with different 

negative pressure setting, and the 

operating logic is highly automated 

and managed by PLC, the isolator is 

also inertized by nitrogen, with constant 

monitoring of the oxygen content 

present in the work chambers, 

in compliance with the project's AT- 

EX requirements. 

An aspect of particular interest is represented 

by the integration, in the 

central chamber, of a second milling 

device, a conical mill (our model 

Conical Mill CM 

100 and Jetmill 

M200 in isolator 

Multistage 

isolator with 

possibility 

to install 

a Jetmill M200 

and M300 



Machines 

Detail of the 

double stage 

gas-solid 

separation 

chamber 

Single-chamber 

isolator 

with switch 

tasking milling 

station 

CM100), also in a wall mounted configuration, 

used for the calibration of 

batches of product with inhomogeneous 

starting particle size, in order to 

optimize the subsequent phase of micronization 

by means of the jetmill. 

Another configuration for contained 

micronization activities (OEB 5 level) 

is always represented by a mul- 

ti-chamber isolator composed of a 

central processing chamber where the 

jetmill will be installed, connected 

with a screw feeder in a wall mounted 

configuration and a two-stage solid 

gas separation chamber. In this case, 

the product is entered through a suitable 

continuous liner device. 

Also in this configuration the lower 

section of the gas solid separation 

chamber is equipped with a double 

continuous liner system for the bagging 

and outlet of the processed product; 

the discharging cone is equipped 

with in-line sampler, in order to allow 

analytical checks on the product 

during processing. The peculiarity 

of this system is represented by 

the fact that the isolator, depending 

on the characteristics of the processing 

batch and the required capacity, 

can alternatively host two jetmills of 

different sizes (our models M200 and 

M300) within the appropriate housing 

in the working chamber, consequently 

the upper part of the solid 

gas separation chamber is configured 

to be able to install “octopus” filtration 

systems, with different filtering 

surfaces in relation to the size of 

the used jetmill. 

An example of the constant 

innovative process that characterizes 

our mission and the 

high degree of customization 

of our systems is represented 

by the multi-milling single-chamber 

isolator, for calibration 

and milling activities 

(OEB4 level). 

The system is in passive 

configuration, it 

means that it is not 

equipped with an autonomous 

ventilation 

system but is connected 

to an existing suction 

line. Pressure control 

inside the chamber 

takes place by means 

of a non-electric automatic valve. The 

product loading is carried out by a discharging 

piping line coming from a filter 

dryer, located in a room above the 

one where the multi-milling isolator is 

installed, and interfaced with an actuated 

dosing lobe valve. 

Inside the working chamber is installed 

a switch tasking milling station, 

consisting of two different and 

– according to the process requirements 

– easily interchangeable milling 

heads: a conical mill our model 

CM 100 and a hammer mill our model 

TB 80, driven by a common motorization 

group, located in a housing 

outside the working chamber. The 

product comes out by means of a special 

continuous liner device. The unit 

is also equipped with a pressurizable 

tank, side mounted, for the cleaning 

fluids. 

The functioning of the system is 

managed by means of a control system 

with PLC and GAMP 5 compliant 

software. 

Access to the internal devices after 

the decontamination activities is 

guaranteed by a wide opening front 

view, if the batch coming from the 

above filter dryer does not need to be 

milled, but simply bagged in protected 

conditions, the milling unit can be 

removed and replaced by a dedicated 

piping with relevant devices; further 

proof of the extreme operational flexibility 

of the proposed system. 

This equipment has been successfully 

subjected to the test SMEPAC (Standardized 

Measurement of Equipment 

Particulate Airborne Concentration), 

guideline issued by the ISPE (International 

Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering’s), 

for its particulate containment 

performance. 

The proven experience of the Nuova 

Guseo technical staff is explicit in 

combining the need for protection for 

the operator with the quality of the 

process carried out. 

 


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New Directions 

in the TOC Measurement 

In this report, the capabilities and limitations of direct UV oxidation 

are described, as well as the technical changes which were made on the 

Swan AMI LineTOC measuring device for improving the power of the UV 

reactor and thereby also the precision of the measuring device. 

2.1 Presentation of the Measurement 

Procedure 

After the first conductivity measureby 

Roger Schmid, Swan Analytical Instruments AG 

Figure 1: 

Schematic 

diagram of 

direct UV 

oxidation 

The quality specification for 

the water which is used in 

the production is especially 

high in the pharmaceutical 

industry. In order to guarantee 

the quality of the ultrapure water 

at all times, an increasing number of 

drug manufacturers are implementing 

an automated and continuous 

monitoring of the treatment plants 

and the ultrapure water circuits. 

Total Organic Carbon (TOC) serves as 

a gauge for the organic contamination 

in the water. Various procedures 

exist for oxidizing the organic carbon 

present and measuring the resultant 

carbon dioxide. Swan Analytical 

Instruments has been using the direct 

UV oxidation method from the 

outset. In this report, the capabilities 

and limitations of direct UV oxidation 

are described, as well as the 

technical changes which were made 

on the AMI LineTOC measuring device 

for improving the power of the 

UV reactor and thereby also the precision 

of the measuring device. 

1. Introduction 

The following methods for TOC determination 

are mainly found on the 

market today: 

Figure 1 

• Thermal decomposition with NDIR 

detection 

• UV-Persulphate decomposition 

with NDIR detection 

• UV-Persulphate decomposition 

with conductivity detection 

• Direct UV oxidation with conductivity 

detection 

Each of these procedures relies on the 

oxidation of the organic carbon that 

is present in the water and the subsequent 

measurement of the carbon 

dioxide produced by the oxidation. 

Each method has its specific pros and 

cons, depending on how the oxidation 

and measurement is technically 

implemented. 

2. Direct UV Oxidation 

Direct UV oxidation can be deployed 

for ultrapure water applications in 

the pharmaceutical industry, as the 

possible organic contamination only 

occurs in very small concentrations. 

However, prerequisite for the complete 

oxidation of the present organic 

carbon via UV radiation is an optimized 

UV reactor and the presence of 

the required measuring environment. 



ment (Total inorganic Carbon; TIC) the 

sample enters the UV reactor whereby 

the organic carbon present in the water 

is oxidized and routed to the second 

conductivity measurement (Total 

Carbon; TC). From the conductivity 

difference between the two sensors, 

the TOC content is calculated according 

to the following formula: 

TOC = TC - TIC 

Figure 2 

Like every other method, the direct 

UV oxidation also has its inherent 

drawbacks: 

• Limited measuring range < 2 µS/ 

cm at 20 °C / < 1 ppm TOC 

• Thermal effects influence the 

measurement 

• Insufficient reproducibility of the 

UV oxidation 

To avoid these drawbacks or minimize 

them, the following goals were 

focused on during the further de- 

velopment of the measuring device: 

• Stabilization of the thermal conditions 

in the device 

• Increased radiation density during 

oxidation 

• Optimization of the sample flow in 

the system 

2.2 Stabilization of Thermal Conditions 

Temperature has a significant influence 

on the conductivity measurement 

during direct UV oxidation. 

Correlating to the energy output 

of the UV lamp, the temperature 

of the water sample is heated 

by more than 10°C depending on 

the design. The temperature difference 

between the two conductivity 

sensors must be compensated. However, 

the compensation only constitutes 

an approximation. A heat exchanger 

is therefore upstream of the 

reactor to keep the differential as 

small as possible. 

With this measure, the temperature 

difference between the two measurements 

can be kept below 0.2 °C. 

This measure is especially effective 

for samples with low TOC values. 

2.3 Increase of Radiation Density During 

Oxidation 

The UV lamps used today (low pressure 

Hg quartz lamps) have a narrow 

temperature range in which they produce 

full power. The range is usually 

between 40 to 50°C. An operational 

temperature change of 10°C can 

result in a power loss of up to 20%. 

Figure 3 

It is therefore very important to keep 

the temperature of the lamp in the 

optimal range. Additional heating 

cartridges (C) or cooling units (depending 

on the application) enable 

very precise control of a target temperature 

of 42°C. This achieves maximum 

radiation intensity and thereby 

optimal and uniform oxidation. 

2.4 Optimization of the Sample Flow 

In the classical arrangement of the 

UV lamps and sample flow, the sample 

is directed around a light source. 

Scattering loss and reflections cannot 

really be avoided. Furthermore, 

accumulation of deposits on the directly 

irradiated side (and thereby 

a reduction of the radiation density) 

cannot be ruled out during longterm 

operation. 

Only through the direct pairing of 

the UV lamp and sample can these 

side effects be avoided. In the newly 

developed UV reactor, the sample 

is directed along the lamp. The maximum 

distance to the lamp is 8 mm 

and the thickness is only 0.5 mm. 

The closed design prevents scattering 

loss and the production of ozone. 

3. Pharmaceutical Application 

Devices which are deployed in pharmaceutical 

applications must pass a 

verification test (System Suitability 

Test; SST) in accordance with the 

standard Pharmacopoeia (USP 643 / 

EP 2.2.24). The UV lamps currently 

used for devices with direct UV 

oxidation have a service-life of 6 

Figure 2: 

Reactor with a 

heat exchanger 

and a heating 

cartridge 

A: Inlet Block; 

B: Heat 

Exchanger; 

C: Heating 

Cartridge; 

D & E: 

Conductivity 

Sensors; 

F: UV Reactor 

Figure 3: 

Cross section 

of a UV reactor 




Figure 4: 

AMI LineTOC 

analyser 

months. Each replacement requires 

a mandatory SST, thus at least two 

tests are needed per year. 

3.1 The Function Test as Assistant 

In addition to the time-consuming 

SST, there is also the need for regular 

inspections of the measurement device. 

Therefore, the AMI LineTOC has 

an automatic function test. The testing 

procedure is adapted to the wellknown 

SST and allows for the validation 

of the measuring device at user 

definable intervals. Highly concentrated 

solutions are used (sucrose 

and benzoquinone) which are stable 

up to 3 months. The solutions are diluted 

with the sample water at the 

time of the test, via the installed 

peristaltic pump. The basic functions 

of the instrument can thereby 

be easily checked without exterior 

intervention or modification. 

4. Conclusion 

Emphasis was placed on three areas 

during the further development of 

the TOC analyser. The stabilisation of 

the thermal conditions, the increase 

of the radiation density during oxidation 

and the optimisation of the 

material flow in the system. The introduced 

technical solutions have 

demonstrably improved the precision 

and accuracy of the direct UV 

oxidation. Furthermore, during the 

development the specific requirements 

of the pharmaceutical industry 

concerning the specifications of 

the calibration and verification were 

taken into account. 

All these technical innovations are 

contained in the presented measuring 

device, the AMI LineTOC, by 

Swan. The modern TOC analyser that 

is also ready to cope with the demands 

of the future. 

 


Flexible solution for serialization 

Laetus presents current solutions for the entire 

supply chain on the Internet, from inline 

quality control to the end customers’ engagement. 

Alongside the Modular X series, many 

further innovations are presented in the areas 

of vision inspection, device management, 

aggregation and Track & Trace. At each virtual 

station, a short film can be watched, explaining 

the respective system. 

The Modular X series is the first fully modular 

serialization system on the market. It 

convinces with its unique flexibility regarding 

the packaging sizes to be processed. The 

Modular X 1000-MV forms the basis, marking 

and verifying up to 400 folding boxes per minute 

with barcodes or plain text, depending 

on product size and quality. At belt speeds of 

up to 60 metres per minute, a mechanically 

forced guidance ensures that the secondary 

packaging with a maximum size of 120 x 100 

x 200 mm is precisely processed. The compact 

GMP design allows for easy operation, cleaning 

and maintenance. 

Format changes are fully automated and 

therefore reproducible, and they can be carried 

out in less than 60 seconds. This reduces 

refitting times and hazards of operator errors 

to a minimum, and it enables companies 

to react quickly to changing market requirements 

at any time while operating at a constantly 

high production output. The optionally 

available Tamper Evident module Modular X 

1000-TL furthermore applies up to 400 Tamper 

Evident labels per minute on two sides. The 

labels are applied at four possible positions 

(front or rear opening, top or bottom respectively) 

with an accuracy of 1 mm, which is also 

checked automatically. The electronically controlled 

high-speed ejection makes sure that 

incorrectly marked products are discharged. 



High-quality stills with the ‘GFL Technology’ quality mark 

Lauda, the world market leader 

for constant temperature equipment 

and systems for precise 

temperature generation, has extended 

its laboratory technology 

product range with the Lauda 

Puridest stills product line. 

The devices with the ‘GFL Technology’ 

quality mark produce an 

ultra-pure, low-gas, sterile and 

pyrogen-free distillate with very 

low conductivity. Puridest stills 

are used in bacteriological and 

medical sample preparation and 

also in the preparation of cell 

and tissue cultures. They are also 

used for cleaning and sterilization 

processes, buffer solutions 

and microbiological and 

analytical applications. The distillate 

complies with the DAB 

regulations and the specifications 

of international pharmacopoeias. 

Lauda Puridest stills also 

distill raw water of lower quality, 

separate pollutants, and reliably 

kill germs such as bacteria 

and viruses. 

Lauda Puridest stills are available 

throughout the world in four 

high-performance product lines 

with 14 single- or two-stage 

model variants in the form of 

stainless steel or glass stills. Depending 

on the model, the devices 

are equipped with a storage 

tank and produce 2 to 12 liters of 

distillate per hour with conductivities 

down to below 1.6 µS/ 

cm. Apart from their reliability 

and extremely long service life, 

Lauda Puridest stills are characterized 

by their simple handling 

in the daily work in the laboratory. 

The stills are extremely easy 

to commission and operate. The 

ultra-pure water can be extracted 

directly after connection to the 

raw water and power supply. The 

devices are maintenance-free, 

because the glass stills automatically 

remove pollutants. 

Decades of experience and technical 

development have set the 

standard: Lauda Puridest stills 

are developed and manufactured 

by Lauda-GFL. The company 

has been a member of the Lauda 

group since December 31st, 

2018 and is known throughout 

the world as a premium manufacturer 

of reliable laboratory technology. 

The use of the “GFL Technology” 

quality mark means that 

Lauda is continuing the tradition 

of the GFL brand, which has been 

renowned for its quality and reliability 

in laboratories worldwide 

for more than 50 years. 

GF Piping Systems 

SYGEF ECTFE 

Estremamente affidabile 

Il sistema SYGEF ECTFE garantisce una elevata resistenza e 

sicurezza anche in condizioni estreme. 

www.gfps.com/ectfe 

Georg Fischer Spa 

Via E. Villoresi 2/4 

IT-20864 Agrate Brianza (MB) 

T +39 02 92186.1 

www.gfps.com/it


Reliable measured values, 

from lab to process 

The multiparameter handheld 

instrument from Endress+Hauser 

provides values you can trust 

and enables easy and reliable 

control and verification. 

by Bo Ottersten, Business Development Manager, 

Laboratory Portfolio, Endress+Hauser 

On-line measured values 

commonly need verification 

by grab sample analysis 

in the laboratory. This 

is a challenge for many operators 

and laboratory workers due 

to measurement discrepancies that 

arise from different sensors, variable 

algorithms or varying ambient conditions. 

The multiparameter handheld 

instrument from Endress+Hauser 

provides values you can trust and 

enables easy and reliable control and 

verification. Whether it’s done in the 

lab or in the field at the sampling 

point, the Liquiline Mobile CML18 

can be used in a wide range of applications 

and it fits in any shirt pocket. 

The Liquiline Mobile CML18 handheld 

instrument measures pH, ORP, conductivity 

and dissolved oxygen – four 

parameters in just one device. It utilizes 

reliable Memosens technology 

that converts all sensor signals to robust 

digital signals that are not affected 

by moisture or other environmental 

influences, ensuring 100% data 

integrity. In addition, the Mem- 

osens technology makes switching 

between different sensors easy. After 

replacing the sensor, the device 

immediately detects which sensor is 

connected, automatically loads the 

saved sensor data and displays the 

correct measured value. Operation of 

the portable instrument is easy and 

intuitive using the SmartBlue app on 

a smartphone or tablet. All measured 

values and sensor data are transferred 

via a secure Bluetooth connection 

that transforms and encrypts all data. 

The high security protection level of 

this connection has been confirmed 

by a renowned German institute. The 

Liquiline Mobile CML18 - Multiparameter 

handheld device for pH, ORP, 

conductivity, dissolved oxygen 

SmartBlue app provides a convenient 

way to configure or adjust the device 

and read out sensor values and measured 

values. It also makes these values 

available for Industry 4.0 applications. 

Liquiline Mobile CML18 features 

all the properties of a flexible 

all-round device, suitable for a wide 

range of applications in sample analysis 

or temporary measurement. 



Robust grab sample measurement 

directly at the sampling point 

Laboratory and maintenance staff in 

process industries commonly need to 

verify their on-line analytical measurement 

values. Typically, this is done 

by grab sample measurement. Samples 

can be measured directly at the 

sampling point using a portable instrument. 

However, many handheld 

and laboratory instruments are sensitive 

to harsh process environments 

and cannot handle high humidity 

without signal loss. This can lead to 

incorrect measured values and the 

operators do not know which values 

they can trust. Thanks to its robust 

Memosens technology, Liquiline Mobile 

provides reliable measured values 

even under harsh ambient conditions 

and supports operators in quickly taking 

required measurements and keeping 

the process running under optimized 

conditions. 

When grab samples are measured at 

the sampling point, the values must 

be documented in one way or another. 

A paper and a pen have been 

traditionally used, but this is hardly 

comfortable or useful. It is better 

to use the internal memory inside 

the portable device. Liquiline Mobile 

has a memory for grab samples taken 

in the field. The operator simply 

needs to press the store button 

and choose the predefined location. 

Time, date, location and measured 

values are securely saved. The stored 

values can then be easily transferred 

to a smartphone via the SmartBlue 

app and shared. 

Consistent grab sample measurement 

in the laboratory 

Another method of grab sample 

measurement is bringing a sample 

from the measuring point to a laboratory 

or maintenance shop. The 

challenge of this kind of monitoring 

is that samples are often not stable 

over time; the sample changes its 

values between the time it was taken 

at the sampling point and when 

it is analyzed in the laboratory, and 

the sample temperature can influence 

the sample values. In addition, 

the use of different measuring technologies 

in the lab can often result 

in deviations between the lab 

measurement and the measurement 

recorded in the process. With the 

Liquiline Mobile CML18, the identical 

Memosens sensors that are used 

in the process can also be used in 

the lab. This guarantees consistency 

of data between lab and process 

measurements. In cases requiring a 

particularly fast response time, the 

new robust lab pH sensor, the Memosens 

CPL51E, is the ideal choice. It 

uses the same Memosens technology 

as the process sensors but is optimized 

for a fast response time in 

sample analysis and laboratory applications 

that do not require a high 

degree of temperature – and pressure 

– resistance. 

Occasional or temporary measurement 

at process points with no online 

measuring device 

Ensuring the quality of products and 

processes also requires monitoring 

in places where no on-line measurement 

is installed. In these cases, grab 

sample analysis is often done in 

the laboratory, again with a high risk 

that sample values change due to 

temperature or contamination. The 

compact Liquiline Mobile and the robust 

Memosens sensors are suitable 

for random measurements in the process 

because they are easy to carry 

to any point in the plant and are not 

affected by wet ambient conditions. 

If a certain point in the process 

needs to be monitored over a specific 

time, customers can easily set up 

a temporary measurement with Liquiline 

Mobile, as the integrated data 

logger can store 10,000 measured 

values with a date and time stamp. 

Afterwards, the data can be quickly 

transferred to a mobile device via 

the SmartBlue app and exported into 

a computer as a CSV file. 

Conclusion 

The Liquiline Mobile CML18 multiparameter 

instrument is the perfect tool 

for anyone who wants to have values 

they can trust, in the laboratory 

or at the sampling point. It is robust 

like a field device and brings identical 

sensor technology and measurement 

algorithms from the process to the 

laboratory, eliminating all uncertainties 

and discrepancies in measured 

values caused by different measuring 

technologies. Thanks to its compact 

design and easy operation via 

the SmartBlue app, Liquiline Mobile 

CML18 can be applied wherever and 

whenever it is needed. 

From the 

left: robust 

grab sample 

measurement 

directly at 

the sampling 

point; 

temporary 

measuring 

point thanks 

to integrated 

data logger 




In a strong position to address the challenges of the corona crisis 

Endress+Hauser performed well across all fields of activity, 

industries and regions in 2019. The Group created hundreds 

of new jobs, invested record amounts and improved 

in the area of sustainability. According to CEO Matthias 

Altendorf, the family company is thus in a strong position 

to address the challenges of the corona crisis. 

“2019 was a solid year for Endress+Hauser,” emphasized 

Matthias Altendorf. “Growth was broad-based and balanced.” 

The measurement and automation technology specialist 

for process and laboratory applications increased 

net sales by 8.0 percent to 2.652 billion euros, despite a 

weakening economy. During the annual media conference 

on financial statements in Basel, the CEO explained 

that instead of large-scale orders, this growth was driven 

by smaller and medium-sized projects. 

Focus on innovation and sustainability 

According to the CEO, this success is also tied to the 

company’s undiminished innovative spirit. In 2019 Endress+Hauser 

filed 318 patent applications and invested 

7.6 percent of sales in research and development. More 

than 1,100 people are working on new products, solutions 

and services. By the end of 2019 Endress+Hauser 

had 14,328 employees worldwide. 400 new jobs have been 

created within one year. 

The company also made progress in the area of sustainability. 

In the annual EcoVadis audit, Endress+Hauser a- 

chieved 72 points, 4 more than in 2018, placing it in the 

top 2 percent of the comparison group. By switching to 

green electricity in production, the Group was able to reduce 

CO 2 

emissions by more than one-third. New buildings 

meet the highest environmental standards. Endress+Hauser 

is currently constructing a new energy self-sufficient 

customer experience and training center in Canada. 

USA still the largest market; China overtakes Germany 

In 2019, Asia provided strong growth impulses. Europe 

performed well and South America recorded excellent 

growth. North America fell behind expectations, however, 

while the business in Africa and the Middle East declined. 

China overtook Germany based on sales volume and 

just trails the US, which continues to be the largest sales 

market for Endress+Hauser. According to Chief Financial 

Officer Luc Schultheiss, the Group companies were able 

to gain market share. 

40 icf RIVISTA DELL’INDUSTRIA CHIMICA E FARMACEUTICA 

Digital intimacy bridges the physical distance 

Endress+Hauser started 2020 with a further increase in incoming 

orders. However, the coronavirus pandemic makes 

it massively more difficult to achieve the original goals. 

“Although we are still unable to predict the economic 

impacts of the crisis, we and our customers will certainly 

feel the effects,” underlined CEO Matthias Altendorf. The 

Group responded early to the spread of the virus and u- 

sed all means at its disposal to protect people’s health and 

continue to offer customers solid support. 

“We bridge the physical distance through digital and emotional 

proximity,” said Matthias Altendorf. The CEO has 

been driving digitization at Endress+Hauser for years – in 

the product and services areas, as well as in customer interaction 

and internal collaboration. At peak periods, up 

to 10,000 employees are currently working from home. 

Customers can use the website to order instruments or 

track orders, and an online tool enables remote support 

aided by video. 

Group aims to safeguard employment 

“Our everyday heroes are those working in production, logistics 

and service, or under difficult conditions from home 

or in the office,” said Matthias Altendorf. Through hard 

work, the company has been successful in ensuring the 

availability of materials, keeping the logistics chains intact 

and supporting customers in all respects. “The Group’s 

plants are operating, and Endress+Hauser is still able to 

deliver.” The CEO therefore believes that the company is 

well prepared for difficult times. 

“We have always run a sound business and as a company 

we are very well positioned,” said Matthias Altendorf. “We 

will do everything we can to safeguard jobs and bring Endress+Hauser 

through this crisis. This will benefit customers, 

employees and shareholders.” The shareholder family 

supports this course and accepts a decline in profits, 

said Supervisory Board President Dr Klaus Endress. “We 

would like to have as many people as possible on board 

when the wind shifts and things pick up again.”

I N D U S T R Y 4 . 0 

COLLABORATIVO, CERTIFICATO, 

PLUG & PLAY 

Soluzioni per robot collaborativi 

anche per ambienti sterili 

La gamma Mechatronics di Gimatic si arricchisce della 

compatibilità in applicazioni collaborative con Universal 

Robots®. 

Il nuovo kit permette di collegare la gamma di pinze 

elettriche direttamente al polso del robot senza bisogno 

di ulteriori accessori. 

La cover di protezione e il sistema di presa adattativo 

garantiscono la protezione dell’operatore. Le dita di 

presa, fornite in una configurazione standard, sono 

rimovibili e personalizzabili. 

Inoltre, grazie all’esclusivo sistema CAPBOX, le pinze di 

qualsiasi taglia, sono comandate direttamente dal polso 

del robot senza cavi e costose ed ingombranti protezioni 

lungo il braccio dello stesso. 

WWW.GIMATIC.COM

Packaging 

Tests in stateof-the-art 

clean 

rooms and 

laboratories 

help recognise 

risks at an early 

stage and thus 

accelerate 

the approval 

of medicines. 

Photo: Harro 

Höfliger 

Pharmaceutical packaging: 

high tech for our health 

Growing drug development requirements result 

in a parallel increase in systems and machine 

technology demands in the field of packaging 

and bottling medicines. 

by Melanie Streich 

Chronic diseases are more 

widespread than ever before. 

In industrial nations and, 

increasingly, in developing 

countries as well, they are 

among the most common and economically 

relevant health problems. 

The health sector’s global economic 

factor is accordingly high, and si- 


Packaging 

multaneously acts as leverage for 

the pharmaceutical industry, which 

invests a comparably high share of 

its revenue in research and development 

(R&D). 

In light of global demographic 

changes, the industry’s development 

opportunities are excellent. 

People are living longer and more 

health-conscious lives – which further 

increases the high-tech sector’s 

growth outlook. Growing drug 

development requirements result in 

a parallel increase in systems and 

machine technology demands in the 

field of packaging and bottling medicines. 

“Today, pharmaceutical companies 

need integrated solutions. 

Machines provide the foundation 

for these. An extensive service offer 

and digital solutions in particular 

are gaining in importance,” explains 

Norbert Gruber, Chairman of 

the Executive Board at Uhlmann, 

which provides systems for packaging 

pharmaceuticals in blister packs, 

bottles and boxes. The German family 

business, which has more than 

2,300 employees around the world, 

has accordingly positioned itself as 

an innovative and digitalised company 

at interpack, the world’s leading 

trade fair for the packaging and 

associated process industries. 

The trade fair, that will take place 

from 25 February to 3 March 2021 

due to corona virus crisis, presents 

further cutting-edge solutions that 

the industry has to offer. As a focal 

point for pharmaceutical packaging, 

Halls 15 to 17 offer visitors the opportunity 

to find out more about innovative 

packaging and process developments 

for this specific industry. 

The other halls also showcase corresponding 

solutions: The approximately 

1,000 companies with exhibits 

on Industry 4.0, digitalisation, automation, 

personalisation, track and 

trace and many other interesting top- 

ics from the field of pharmaceuticals 

represent a significant share of the 

around 3,000 exhibitors at interpack. 

Pharmaceutical market forecast 

According to figures released by market 

research company IQVIA, global 

expenditures for pharmaceuticals are 

expected to increase to 1,43 trillion 

US dollars by 2022. In comparison: 

In 2006, expenditures amounted to 

658 billion US dollars. The highest 

amount is spent on cancer medication 

and biopharmaceuticals. 

The reasons for this increase in market 

growth are quite apparent: Demographic 

change with a rise in older 

patients and increasing urbanisation 

with a growing middle class are 

the determining market factors for 

the pharmaceutical sector and the 

associated process and packaging industries. 

The future of biopharmaceuticals 

Whilst in pharmerging countries, 

more and more people are gaining 

access to traditional medicines such 

as painkillers and antibiotics, industrial 

nations are increasingly employing 

new, complex active ingredients 

and innovative treatments. 

In the pharmaceutical sector, biotechnology 

is considered a key technology 

in the global fight against severe 

diseases such as cancer and autoimmune 

diseases. Their share in 

the medical market has almost doubled 

in the past ten years and has 

thus become a decisive factor for the 

process and packaging industry. 

More and 

more Uhlmann 

solutions 

are made of 

bits and bytes 

instead of steel 

and safety 

glass. 

Photo: Uhlmann 

Medical 

packaging 

has to protect 

highly sensitive 

products 

from external 

influences. 

Photo: 

Marchesini 

Group 



Packaging 

Optima’s CSPE 

process helps 

pharmaceutical 

companies 

launch their 

newly developed 

products as 

quickly as 

possible. 

Photo: Optima 

Sophisticated processing 

Highly effective medicine is accompanied 

by considerable demands on 

packaging and processing technologies, 

particularly with regard to bottling 

and packaging solutions. When 

manufacturing biotech medicines, 

avoiding contamination is essential. 

Special containment solutions 

aim to prevent said contamination. 

Isolators are one such example. Liquid 

medicines can be processed under 

sterile conditions in vials. Prefilled 

syringes also contribute to an 

increase in safety. They help prevent 

dosage errors and also eliminate 

contamination when changing 

needles. In the hectic daily life of 

practices and clinics, pre-filled syringes 

and pens also save precious 

time. Authenticity checks performed 

on complex purification processes 

using combined sensor technology 

and mathematical models ensure 

that quality controls can be performed 

much more quickly with increased 

process accuracy. 

Pharmaceuticals and packaging: 

True team play 

When manufacturers launch new 

pharmaceuticals, they depend on the 

market and technology competence 

of machine, systems and packaging 

manufacturers and processors. Time 

limits on patent protection require 

fast and flexible solutions that have 

to guarantee scale-ups from small 

laboratory amounts to high volumes 

in larger plants. 

Optima is a single-source provider 

of packaging machines and bottling 

and production systems. To ensure 

that newly developed products can 

be launched as quickly as possible, 

Optima uses the CSPE method, which 

will be one of the company’s central 

topics at interpack. This method reduces 

delivery times and significantly 

accelerates the commissioning of 

pharmaceutical systems. “In light of 

increased development periods and 

costs on the one hand and increasingly 

tough international competition 

on the other, the time between 

concluding the approval phase and 

launching the product has to be 

kept as short as possible,” explains 

Gerhard Breu, Chairman of Optima’s 

Pharma division. 

At the same time, companies require 

reliable packaging machines 

and bottling systems that are easy to 

use and clean, and that can be retrofit 

without great effort. Pharmaceutical 

service provider Harro Höflinger 

provides support in the early stages. 

His clean rooms and laboratories 

can depict extensive processes in a 

controlled environment, whilst test 

setups allow clients to check critical 

steps in advance. “Our clients 

increasingly ask to test their own 

substances and critical conditioning 

products on machines designed by 

Harro Höflinger. Our clean rooms and 

laboratories are the perfect place to 

implement these tests. They allow us 

to recognise and minimise risks at an 

early stage – the basis for quick and 

safe scale-ups to commercial manufacture,” 

explains Stefan Mayer, Senior 

Director Process Services. 

Protection against counterfeiting 

In the pharmaceutical field in particular, 

strict legal provisions and 

guidelines apply that are of extreme 

importance for all parties involved in 

the process and that at the same time 

mean tremendous investments for the 

affected companies. Since February 

2019, prescription medicine in the EU 

has to be equipped with tamper-proof 

seals that ensure that the packaging 

has not been opened. 

Serialisation on the packaging is 

now also a legal requirement. All affected 

packaging has to be equipped 


Packaging 

with a two-dimensional datamatrix 

code that uniquely identifies the 

medicine and confirms its authenticity. 

This code contains information 

on the batch number, the expiration 

date, the serial number and 

the national reimbursement number. 

These new regulations have far-reaching 

consequences. In individual cases, 

production facilities have to be 

expanded, constructed or modified 

to accommodate new serialisation 

units. The expansion of the IT infrastructure 

in particular is a true feat 

of strength for many companies and 

is associated with high costs. 

Körber Medipak Systems offers extensive 

solutions that protect patients 

against counterfeit medicine. 

Pre-serialised folding boxes with 

tamper-evident seals and targeted 

system solutions put a stop to counterfeit 

medicines in the legal value 

chain, as packages now visibly and 

unambiguously show whether they 

have been opened or not. 

The silver generation 

By 2050, global population will reach 

9.7 billion people; a mere 50 years 

later, this number is expected to increase 

to 10.9 billion, according to 

the most recent UN global population 

forecasts released in June 2019. 

In 2050, every sixth person in the 

world will be over 65, with a total of 

426 million people over the age of 80. 

This equates to triple the 2019 numbers, 

with 143 million people over 80. 

These demographic changes also 

mean a rise in diseases that increasingly 

occur with age. These include 

diabetes, rheumatism, multiple 

sclerosis as well as dementia 

and Alzheimer’s disease. The affected 

patients require particular administration 

methods, depending 

on the type of complaint and symptoms. 

Pre-filled syringes and auto injectors 

help people with limited mobility 

regularly administer their medicine 

themselves. 

The packaging industry offers smart 

packaging for patients whose sight 

and hearing are dwindling or who 

are losing their finger strength and 

motor skills. One of these innovations 

was created by pharmaceutical 

technology provider Romaco Siebler. 

In cooperation with foil experts Huhtamaki, 

Romaco Siebler developed 

Push Packs, which are equipped with 

special, accessible features and allow 

patients to easily push tablets 

out of the foil. “Push Packs are an affordable 

alternative to cold-formed 

aluminium-aluminium blister packs 

(AI/AI blister packs). As the packaging 

foils are a lot thinner, they 

require less material. This reduces 

packaging costs in direct comparison 

by up to 60 percent,” calculates 

Jörg Pieper, CEO at Romaco Holding. 

Tailor-made medicine 

Personalised medicine will change 

the global health system considerably 

in the years to come. Studies 

have shown that more than 70 percent 

of all pharmaceuticals currently 

in development have been customised 

to meet the needs of specific patient 

groups. In cancer therapy, individual 

medicine is already common 

and is to supplement standard therapies 

in future. Scale-out solutions for 

machines and equipment enable the 

production of smaller batch sizes. 

Here, existing equipment is copied 

exactly for other locations. This re- 

quires clearly defined processes and 

machine technology with a high degree 

of automation. 

More and more pharmaceutical manufacturers 

require flexible bottling 

and packaging systems that allow 

them to work on small batches with 

maximum efficiency. Bausch+Ströbel 

has a compact solution in their portfolio: 

the modular VarioSys production 

system is also suitable for application 

in laboratories with small 

batch sizes. “Flexibility is the first 

priority in all our designs. We achieve 

this by quick and easy module changes 

on the one hand and short cycle 

times when sterilising the isolator 

on the other,” explains Heiko 

Schwarz, who is responsible for the 

development of VarioSys in product 

management at Bausch+Ströbel. 

Print your own tablets 

Tablets fresh off the 3D printer are no 

longer a dream of the future. Spritam, 

a printed epilepsy treatment, was the 

first medicine to be approved by the 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 

in 2015. 3D printing processes allow 

manufacturers to adapt products exactly 

to patient needs whilst reducing 

time and cost factors in production, 

as machine components no longer 

need retrofitting. 

Compared to conventional tablet 

presses, printed pills can also be 

equipped with a more porous surface, 

which helps them dissolve more 

quickly and without additional liquid 

intake. They can also be equipped 

Tamper-evident 

seals keep 

patients safe 

and secure. 

Photo: Rondo 

AG, a Körber 

Medipak 

Systems 

company 



Packaging 

with more active ingredients. This 

particularly benefits patients who 

have difficulty swallowing and who 

depend on various tablets. However, 

experts say it will be quite some time 

before patients can print their own 

prescription medicine, with an individual 

formula put together by their 

doctor, in the comfort of their own 

home. The current fields of application 

are limited exclusively to highly 

specialised, individual medicine. 

Child-proof, 

suitable for 

senior citizens 

and sustainable. 

Patients can easily 

push tablets out 

of the Push Packs 

by Romaco Siebler 

and Huhtamaki. 

Photo: Romaco 

Siebler 

Convenience and safety 

Personalised medicine is a field that 

particularly affects the hospital and 

care sector. To ensure that patients receive 

the right drug cocktails whilst relieving 

carers of the task of putting the 

necessary medicine together, tablets 

may be blister-packed ready for use. 

Blister pack machines in chemists 

and blister packaging centres pack 

the patient’s individual tablet mix in 

an airtight and hygienic strip of sacs 

and simultaneously ensure that the 

individual doses are labelled and delivered 

in the right order. This prevents 

wrong dosages and ensures 

that patients do not take the wrong 

tablets by mistake. 

Cost pressure and systems efficiency 

Despite all the positive market developments 

in the pharmaceutical sector, we 

must not forget that even though the 

industry is growing, the health care systems 

in several countries are subjected 

to tremendous cost pressure. Mandatory 

discounts, price limits and reimbursement 

models often force manufactures 

to lower their costs per package. Machine 

and systems manufacturers have 

to work on improving overall equipment 

efficiency. In Industry 4.0’s future, this 

means using integrated systems with reliable 

availability and a continually high 

product quality. This is the only way to 

ensure that providers can keep up with 

a dynamic market in the long run. 



IMA Group accelerates digital innovation 

IMA Group continues to consolidate 

its digital innovation 

strategy with increasingly advanced 

and customer-oriented 

services. The round table organized 

in July in partnership with 

PTC was an opportunity to share 

the latest IMA digital solutions 

aimed at optimizing the production 

of the Group’s customers. 

Within the web events, 

IMA experts presented the latest 

innovations born from the 

collaboration with PTC with a 

focus on IIoT (Industrial Internet 

of Things), thus re-launching 

the message of a necessary, 

increasingly coordinated and 

uniform innovation to maintain 

industrial leadership in a 

highly competitive sector such 

as manufacturing. 

Among the offered services, the 

APP developed with PTC on a 

ThingWork basis is meant to facilitate 

customers in real-time 

monitoring of the operating 

conditions of the lines. Thanks 

to the accessible data of this 

simple and intuitive APP, the 

end user has an active and fully 

autonomous involvement in 

the decision-making processes 

to make changes and adjustments 

directly on the systems. 

Among the numerous advantages 

that the APP guarantees 

there is a natural increase in 

OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) 

that can be reached in 

a short time. The possibility of 

translating effectively the KPIs 

plants into measurable values 

then allows a deepening of the 

loss analysis and opens up the 

opportunity of deepening the 

details regarding inefficiencies, 

downtime, average intervention 

times to make all the necessary 

corrective actions and restore 

full efficiency of flows. 

“The scalability and the opening 

of the developed APP allow 

the end-user the access to 

the entire set of real-time information 

generated by the machines 

using a wide range of 

devices – tablets, smartdevices, 

notebooks etc. – and regardless 

of where the customer 

is located”, said Martina 

Stefanon, AMS Business 

Development Director at IMA 

Group during the recent online 

event. “Only the most precise 

and detailed knowledge of its 

own production assets makes 

an improvement of process efficiency 

possible. And this can 

only be done by understanding 

their status, that is, by analyzing 

and using the data they 

generate, in order to increase 

uptime and consequently optimize 

costs and margins”. 

The developed APP integrates 

with the services offered by 

the IMA Digital Room, a control 

center that constantly monitors 

the production of the customer’s 

machines or installed base, 

remotely. Inside the Digital 

Room, a team of expert engineers 

available 24/7 monitors 

the operating conditions of the 

plants by taking into consideration 

both KPIs and value parameters 

to anticipate and report 

potential future malfunctions 

to customers, in order to 

set corrective actions and make 

the production more efficient. 

The protection of data and information 

from hackers or malware 

attacks on the network 

is fundamental in the IOT sector. 

“IMA recently launched 

A4Gate,” explained Pier Luigi 

Vanti, ICT Corporate Director at 

IMA Group, “an integrated hardware/software 

solution that allows 

the users to control the 

data transmission from a machine/source 

inside the plant to 

the outside, ensuring full information 

confidentiality and preventing 

cyber threats”. The developed 

product fully supports 

features related to the IoT Edge 

& IoT Data Collector, IoT Remote 

Access Control and 24/7 

connection to the Digital Room, 

all in maximum security and allotment 

from external penetration 

attempts. 

The growth of projects aimed at 

monitoring production trends 

and protecting the data generated 

within the plants is the 

natural evolution of the IMA 

Digital initiative. The parallel 

agreement signed with Antares 

Vision at the beginning of June 

is also part of the project’s development 

plans. The ongoing 

collaboration inherent in the 

supply of inspection systems is 

consolidated in a partnership 

extended to the most innovative 

Antares Vision solutions for 

product traceability and for the 

smart data management. 

The new five-year agreement 

with Antares Vision sees the 

synergistic development and 

implementation of innovative 

solutions in the context of specific 

projects, new businesses 

and products, with the aim of 

not only consolidating and potentiating 

technological leadership 

but also offering new 

application and business potential 

to their customers. 



In this issue, 

we spoke about... 

ANALYTICA .................................................................... 20 

ANTARES VISION ...........................................................26 

BAUSCH & LOMB............................................................. 16 

BAUSCH+STRÖBEL ........................................................... 42 

BEA TECHNOLOGIES .......................................................15 

BRUNO WOLHFARTH ......................................................11 

CO.RA ................................................................... 4A COP. 

CVS LIFE SCIENCE ............................................................1 

D&D ENTERTAINMENT DI DARIO NUZZO ...........................16 

DELTA COSTRUZIONI MECCANICHE ..................................... 14 

EG ................................................................................ 16 

ELLAB ...............................................................1A COP., 8 

ENDRESS+HAUSER ........................................................... 38 

EUTICALS ...................................................................... 16 

FARAVELLI ....................................................................33 

FLUORTECNO .......................................... BATTENTE 1A COP. 

GEORG FISCHER .............................................................37 

GIMATIC ................................................................. 12, 41 

IBSA FARMACEUTICI ......................................................19 

IMA .........................................................................26, 47 

INTERPACK .................................................................... 42 

IQVIA .......................................................................... 43 

IRON SALTS .................................................................... 12 

ITALVACUUM .................................................................. 13 

LAETUS ......................................................................... 36 

LAUDA .......................................................................... 37 

LENIRIT......................................................................... 16 

LUMITOS ....................................................................... 24 

MARCHESINI GROUP...................................................14, 42 

MERCK .......................................................................... 16 

NOVARTIS ...................................................................... 16 

NOVO NORDISK ............................................................... 17 

NUOVA GUSEO ................................................................ 30 

OMAC ................................................................... 3A COP. 

OPTIMA ......................................................................... 42 

POMPETRAVAINI ..............................................................7 

PRECISION FLUID CONTROLS ..........................................29 

PTC ............................................................................... 47 

PVS .............................................................................4-5 

ROMACO SIEBLER ............................................................ 45 

RONDO AG ..................................................................... 42 

SALVATORE ROBUSCHI .......................................... 2A COP. 

SERVIER ITALIA .............................................................. 17 

SWAN ANALITICA .................................................... 13, 34 

TEXPACK .......................................................................25 

TMIP ..................................................... BATTENTE 4A COP. 

TRADECITY D.O.O. ........................................................... 27 

UHLMANN ..................................................................... 42 

RIVISTA 

DELL’ INDUSTRIA 

CHIMICA E 

FARMACEUTICA 

SUPPLEMENT 

ISSUE NO.4 

SEPT/OCT2020 

icfYEARXI 

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ICF N° 4 Settembre/Ottobre 2020 Supplemento

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