Authentication process of medical packaging to avoid counterfeits

Switzerland-based AlpVision and Nolato Medical from Sweden are coming into partnership to use AlpVision's Fingerprint technology to track and authenticate mass produced medical products manufactured in a mold with a scanner or an iPhone.

The partnership builds on AlpVision's patented Fingerprint technology, an authentication solution based on the object. With no change to the standard molding practices, according to the joint press release, the process involves capturing a digital image of the intrinsic microscopic surface irregularities found in a mold, then using that image as a reference to authenticate an entire production of molded parts, such as vials, containers and lids, test tubes and caps. The genuine-or-fake verification can simply be done with a standard office scanner or iPhone-like device.

Nolato Medical says it now offers a high-security, cost-effective anti-counterfeiting solution to track and authenticate any products manufactured by molding. Unlike any other safety features, AlpVision's authentication solution can be applied before the product deployment or once in the market, by using the original mold.

"We are thrilled to develop this new partnership with AlpVision," says Christer Wahlquist, President of Nolato Medical. "AlpVision's Fingerprint solution is a welcome addition to our company's product portfolio, which already consists of a range of tamper-evident caps."

"I am excited to leverage Nolato Medical's extensive expertise in the medical device and pharmaceutical packaging areas," says Dr Martin Kutter, President of AlpVision. "By combining Nolato Medical's knowledge with our Fingerprint technology, I strongly believe that we will be able to reduce the penetration of counterfeit pharmaceuticals into the legal supply chain and better safeguard patient safety."

According to the statement, counterfeiting of pharmaceutical products accounted for an estimated US$600 billion in global trade.