AlpVision wins pharma customer for security printing

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 Cryptograph technology will be applied to various products in Serolab’s Serocytol range of medicines, which encompasses immunoglobulin products for passive immunotherapy, according to UK-based packaging consultancy Pire.

The Cryptograph 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 rotograuve, laser or inkjet.

The mark contains encrypted data in the form of indelible pixels that can be detected using an image scanning device, but which 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 stressed the benefits of the approach in the fight against fake pharmaceuticals

“With the increase threat of pharmaceutical counterfeiting in certain countries the protection of our products has become a priority concern.”