
Clinical trial packaging companies play a crucial role in managing complex supply chains. They must navigate multiple stakeholders, including sponsors, contract research organizations, and regulatory agencies.
To ensure compliance and efficiency, these companies use specialized software to track inventory and shipments. This technology helps prevent errors and delays.
Clinical trial packaging companies must also manage temperature-sensitive and controlled substances with precision. This requires specialized packaging and handling procedures to maintain product integrity.
By leveraging expertise and technology, clinical trial packaging companies can streamline their supply chains and deliver high-quality results.
Clinical Trial Packaging Capabilities
Ardena offers a range of clinical trial packaging services, including primary and secondary packaging, kit assembly, and labeling. They have expertise in handling highly potent drugs and controlled substances.
Their primary packaging services include blistering, bottling, pouching, and over-encapsulation, as well as automated pre-filled syringe assembly and labeling. They also provide multi-panel and multi-language clinical labeling.
Ardena's secondary packaging services include blister packaging, labeling, kit assembly, and card-sealing. They use tamperproof primary and secondary packaging materials to ensure the integrity of the clinical trial supplies.
Related reading: Package Labeling

Ardena's clinical trial packaging capabilities include:
- Primary packaging: blistering, bottling, pouching, over-encapsulation, and automated pre-filled syringe assembly and labeling
- Secondary packaging: blister packaging, labeling, kit assembly, and card-sealing
- Automated pre-filled syringe assembly and labeling
- Multi-panel and multi-language clinical labeling
- Serialisation
They also offer a range of bespoke packaging services to fit the specific protocol of your trial, including patient kit assembly and labeling ready for use in the clinic.
Supply Chain and Logistics
Ensuring a stable supply of clinical trial materials is crucial for running an effective trial. Ardena has over 20 years of experience in managing biological samples from clinical trials, offering a unique combination of CDMO and bioanalytical services.
Packaging and labeling are critical components of clinical trial supply. Ardena offers tailored and optimized packaging, labeling, and supply strategies to meet stringent timelines and study design. They also provide packaging, labeling, and clinical trial supply/logistics services.
Label development is a make-or-break moment in the IP timeline. Medpace can develop labels to ensure maximum compliance and ease of use, whether the product is dispensed on-site or for take-home use.
Ardena's logistics expertise spans all types of early clinical development, from multi-center Phase I to Phase IIa. They can provide visit kits to clinical sites in a way that eliminates the risk of sample mishandling.
Here are the key services offered by Ardena and Medpace for clinical trial supply and logistics:
- Packaging
- Labeling
- Clinical trial supply/logistics
Packaging and Labeling

Clinical trial packaging companies offer a range of bespoke packaging services, including primary and secondary packaging, and kit assembly for various container types.
They provide carefully crafted packaging services to fit the specific protocol of your trial. Their clinical packaging team helps deliver trial materials to the right site at the right time.
Primary packaging services include the packaging of in-house or externally produced drug products in different types of containers, such as cold or thermoformable blisters, bottles, tubes, and sachets. They can handle highly potent drugs and controlled substances.
Secondary packaging includes patient kit assembly and labeling ready for use in the clinic, using tamperproof primary and secondary packaging materials.
Here are some key services offered by clinical packaging companies:
- Primary packaging of drug products in different types of containers
- Secondary packaging including patient kit assembly and labeling
- Use of tamperproof packaging materials
Tamper Evident Carton
We offer a range of bespoke packaging services, including primary and secondary packaging, and kit assembly for various container types. Our clinical packaging team ensures trial materials are delivered to the right site at the right time.

Our packaging services include primary packaging of in-house or externally produced drug products in different types of containers, such as cold or thermoformable blisters, bottles, tubes, and sachets. We can handle highly potent drugs and controlled substances.
We also provide secondary packaging, including patient kit assembly and labeling ready for use in the clinic. This ensures that all necessary information is included and easily accessible.
The tamper evident carton is our latest innovation in clinical packaging, designed to meet the needs of biotech and biopharma markets. It features a protective carton design and tamper-evident sealing to ensure the safety of vials.
This solution is patented and offers a secure way to protect trial materials. We use tamperproof primary and secondary packaging materials to ensure the integrity of the packaging.
Here's an interesting read: Secondary Packaging Equipment
Packaging and Labeling
Packaging and Labeling is a crucial aspect of clinical trials, and it's essential to understand the various services offered to ensure compliance and efficiency.

We provide bespoke packaging services that cater to the specific needs of your trial, covering primary and secondary packaging, and kit assembly for a wide range of container types.
Our clinical packaging team helps deliver trial materials to the right site at the right time, making sure everything runs smoothly.
Primary packaging involves the packaging of the in-house or externally produced drug product in different types of containers, including cold or thermoformable blisters, bottles, tubes, and sachets. We can handle highly potent drugs and controlled substances.
Secondary packaging includes patient kit assembly and labeling, and we use tamperproof primary and secondary packaging materials to ensure safety and security.
Here are some of the services we offer:
- Primary packaging of the in-house or externally produced drug product in different types of containers
- Secondary packaging including patient kit assembly and labeling
- Use of tamperproof primary and secondary packaging materials
Pharmaceutical companies require different clinical trial packaging and labeling solutions, including primary packaging, secondary packaging, automated pre-filled syringe assembly and labeling, multi-panel and multi-language clinical labeling, and serialisation.
We also offer labeling services, which include customizable solutions that meet your clinical protocol requirements. We can optimize product packaging and label designs, assemble patient kits, and provide comprehensive kit labeling printing services.
Some of the labeling services we offer include:
- Dedicated rooms for label printing and packaging activities
- Preparation and translation of multi-language label text
- Label printing activities with single layer labels, booklet labels, peel-off, and variable fields
- Relabeling according to expiry date extensions
- Just-in-time labeling
Strategic Services

Strategic Services are crucial for a successful clinical trial. Medpace offers strategic services that can make a big difference.
Vendor recommendations are one of the key strategic services offered by Medpace. This can help Sponsors choose the right vendors for their clinical trials.
Medpace also helps with timeline development, which is essential for ensuring that clinical trials run smoothly and on schedule.
Here's a breakdown of the strategic services offered by Medpace:
Strategic and Operational Services
Strategic and operational services are crucial for clinical packaging and supplies. Medpace has a dedicated department to assist sponsors with these complexities.
Medpace's Clinical Packaging and Supplies department offers a range of strategic services, including vendor recommendations and timeline development. These services help ensure that investigational products are provided in a timely and compliant manner.
Vendor recommendations are an essential part of strategic planning. Medpace can recommend vendors based on specific sponsor requirements.
Here are some key strategic services offered by Medpace:
Medpace also offers operational services to support the strategic services. These services include vendor, supply, and inventory management. This helps ensure that investigational products are available when needed.
Operational services are critical to the success of clinical trials. Medpace's operational services help manage the complexities of providing investigational products.
Initial Strategies

CP&S can develop and implement a depot set-up strategy including Import Licenses, Importer of Record, timelines, and appropriate quantities of Investigational Product.
Based on study timelines, country approval dates, site initiation schedules, and enrollment projections, this strategy can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the study.
Excessive or limited shipments, along with depot inventory excesses or shortages, are preventable with continued tracking.
CP&S can optimize shipments and inventory levels at depots and sites by actively monitoring and adjusting as needed.
By collaborating with ClinTrak IRT, CP&S can manage inventory levels, timing and quantity of shipments, and use-by date management.
Realizing that many clinical studies are conducted with concurrent stability programs, CP&S can participate in understanding the stability program, including stability test dates.
This allows CP&S to maximize use-by dates and minimize date extension labelling activities, reducing product waste.
For more insights, see: Moving Companies Inventory Sheets
Streamlining Pharmaceutical Requirements
Streamlining Pharmaceutical Requirements is crucial for the success of clinical trials. Medpace's Clinical Packaging and Supplies department (CP&S) offers strategic and operational services to help sponsors navigate the complexities of providing timely and compliant Investigational Product.

Medpace's CP&S can develop and implement a depot set-up strategy, including Import Licenses, Importer of Record, timelines, and appropriate quantities of Investigational Product. This ensures product availability throughout study conduct.
Excessive or limited shipments, along with depot inventory excesses or shortages, can be prevented with continued tracking. CP&S can optimize shipments and inventory levels at depots and sites.
Some of the key services offered by CP&S include:
Medpace's CP&S can also collaborate with ClinTrak IRT for inventory management at depots and sites. This ensures that the right product is available at the right time and in the right quantity.
Benefits and Considerations
Working with a clinical trial packaging company can be a game-changer for pharmaceutical companies, allowing them to streamline their packaging processes and reduce costs.
One of the main benefits of outsourcing packaging to a clinical trial packaging company is the ability to take advantage of their specialized expertise and equipment. This can lead to significant improvements in packaging efficiency and accuracy.

Clinical trial packaging companies often have a deep understanding of the regulatory requirements that govern the packaging of clinical trial materials, which can be a huge relief for pharmaceutical companies that may not have the same level of expertise in-house.
By partnering with a clinical trial packaging company, pharmaceutical companies can also reduce their packaging costs, as the company will take on the responsibility of sourcing and purchasing packaging materials.
Sponsor Benefits
Working with Medpace Clinical Packaging & Supplies can be a game-changer for sponsors of all sizes. CP&S works within the Medpace full-service CRO model, providing a "one-stop shopping" experience that's particularly beneficial for small to mid-size biotech and biopharma companies.
This approach eliminates potential gaps and duplications by establishing a unique tripartite relationship between Medpace, the sponsor, and vendor, with open communication and collaboration. Clearly defined roles and responsibilities ensure that study timelines and deliverables are met.
CP&S is skilled at managing complex technical and regulatory environments, making the complex seamless by providing timely and compliant Investigational Products and information.
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Key Considerations

When selecting a clinical trial packaging services provider, consider the packaging material used, as it's a crucial aspect of handling various types of clinical trial materials, including biologic drugs.
Contract manufacturing organisations handle a wide range of clinical trial materials, which requires careful consideration of packaging material, kit design, and transportation protection.
The trend of decentralised clinical trials is driving the demand for patient-centric kits, making it essential to choose a provider that can deliver easily usable kits for patients at their homes.
Innovative pharmaceutical packaging solutions, such as blow-fill-seal vials and pre-filled vial and syringe designs, are increasingly used in clinical trials, so it's vital to consider these options when selecting a provider.
Child-resistant packs are also being used in clinical trials, which requires careful consideration of packaging design and functionality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial packaging?
Clinical trial packaging refers to the preparation and labelling of drug products to ensure their integrity and safety. This process involves designing packaging that meets regulatory standards for clinical trials.
Does McKesson do clinical trials?
Yes, McKesson provides cutting-edge clinical trial services to help patients achieve a better quality of life. With over 15 years of experience, our team offers expert guidance on clinical trial logistics.
Sources
- https://www.patheon.com/us/en/our-capabilities/clinical-trial-services/clinical-trial-packaging.html
- https://ardena.com/services/clinical-supply/
- https://www.medpace.com/cro/clinical-packaging-supplies/
- https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/blog/top-clinical-trial-packaging-companies/
- https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/buyers-guide/clinical-trial-packaging-services/
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