AlpVision has developed a covert digital security technology - called Cryptoglyph - that serves as an invisible mark to protect packaging against counterfeiting and provide track and trace functionality.

The Cryptoglyph technology will be applied to various products in Serolab's Serocytol range of medicines, which encompases immunoglobulin products for passive immunotherapy, according to UK-based packaging consultancy Pira.

The Cryptoglyph technology takes the form of an invisible mark printed on the outer surface of packaging with standard ink and using standard printing systems, including offset, rotogravure, laser or inkjet. The mark contains encrypted data in the form of indelible pixels that are detected using an image scanning device, but are almost impossible to reproduce.

AlpVision says the printing has no effect on the design of the package or document and the mark can be overprinted on any branded design.

Serolab is the second company in the pharmaceutical sector to sign up for the system this year. In February, AlpVision struck a similar deal with Swiss pharmaceutical packaging specialist Rondo.

Chief scientific officer at Serolab Dr Michel Mpandi, says the AlpVision solution was easy to integrate in the Serolab production flow, according to Pira. "With the increasing threat of pharmaceutical counterfeiting in certain countries, the protection of our products became a priority concern," he said.