Applications for Packaging Design QuickFire Challenge: Unit Dose Technologies
Johnson & Johnson Innovation is inviting applications for its Packaging Design QuickFire Challenge: Unit Dose Technologies.
According to the company, in the U.S., the broader adoption of non-reclosable unit dose packaging has been limited due to concerns about user-friendly access and design, non-recyclable packaging waste, manufacturability, and speed at which packaging lines can operate. In addition to preventing accidental unsupervised ingestions (AUIs) of medications by children, some unit dose packaging configurations have also been shown to increase medication adherence, improve monitoring, and reduce the risk of contamination. While strides have been made in packaging safety, AUIs — when young children self-ingest medicines that are not appropriately kept high and out of sight and reach — can lead to overdose and preventable injury.
Grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded in support of efforts to bring potentially groundbreaking unit dose packaging options to the market — with a focus on child-resistant, user-friendly, non-reclosable designs. Potential innovations may include both solids (tablets, capsules, and powders) and liquids (solutions and suspensions) in unit-dose formats (e.g., blisters, sachets and stick packs). Primary and secondary packaging or a combination of the two is in the scope of the challenge.
The innovator(s) with the best idea, potential technology, or solution will receive grant funding from a total pool of up to $100,000, access to the global Johnson & Johnson Innovation — JLABS network, and mentorship from experts across the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies.
Main criteria include child-resistant and user-friendly packaging that covers the range of F1 through the F9; provides unit-dose non-reclosable formats; and provides greater user experience. Examples include ease of use/opening, frustration-free opening, portability, attractiveness, and novelty of the idea. Additional criteria include sustainability; easy integration into existing packaging lines with minimal modification; support to patients' adherence; cost-effectiveness, scalability and manufacturability; tamper evidence; barrier needs of pharmaceuticals; and safety of opening and ingestion (e.g., preventing users from getting cut due to sharp edges of packaging).
For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Johnson & Johnson Innovation website
Submissions to this sponsor/donor are managed by the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations. Please contact your unit-assigned ASUF Director of Development or Research Advancement Specialist at your earliest convenience to ensure ASU's strategic coordination and management of funding applications.