Corning, BARDA seek rapid production of glass tubing, vials to strengthen domestic supply chain

In an effort to reduce shortages and the reliance on foreign medical supply chains, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and Department of Defense (DoD) have teamed up with Corning, Inc. to produce more glass tubing and vials quicker.

In particular, the federal government has shown interest in the rapid expansion of domestic manufacturing capacity for Corning Valor Glass tubing and vials — glassware specifically meant for transporting pharmaceuticals and medicines to U.S. soldiers. This is in response to the potential for shortages exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has also repeatedly highlighted the problems with an overreliance on foreign supply chains.

The company attests that Valor has the capability to minimize particular contamination, while maintaining durability well beyond conventional glass vials, thereby reducing damage and breakage potential. Its specialized glass offers the ability for rapid filling and capping, which Corning estimates could increase manufacturing throughput by as much as 50 percent on conventional filling lines. That could have downstream benefits as well, reducing overall manufacturing time for vaccines and therapies.

With this federal investment, Corning will expand its domestic manufacturing capacity enough to produce glass vials capable of supplying billions of doses of drugs or vaccines over the next three years, if needed. Acceleration and scaling will be focused on the company’s facilities in Durham, N.C.; Big Flats, N.Y.; and Vineland, N.J.