Every year, AMJE Bordeaux (the Junior Enterprise of the Bordeaux-Talence campus) redoubles its efforts to carry out assignments for companies in the region. These assignments are an opportunity to provide manufacturers with recognized technical expertise and for our students to develop their skills by working on business issues.
Engineering students recently worked for Unither Pharmaceuticals, a global leader in the subcontracting of sterile single-dose containers. These containers are designed in a sterile environment to store pharmaceutical solutions (saline solutions, eye drops, disinfectants, etc.). Unither called on AMJE Bordeaux to develop a new syringe-free injection system based on their Blow-Fill-Seal vial manufacturing technology.
Testimonial from Hugo Mouchard, third-year engineering student.
Hugo Mouchard is a third-year engineering student currently pursuing a dual Master's degree in Research with ENS Paris-Saclay and École Centrale Paris.
What does the study you conducted for Unither Pharmaceuticals involve?
My research focused on designing a piston-free syringe system for injecting vaccines. In response to the health crisis, Unither has developed new methods to speed up the vaccination process.
The new syringe was designed in two stages: first, a theoretical study on fluid mechanics, then computer-aided design to create a prototype, with a view to launching industrial production.
What did you gain from this mission?
I enjoyed this study because of its mechanical and design aspects, and above all because it allowed me to apply my skills in a practical setting. It involved a real business problem that required the creation of prototypes using new processes such as 3D printing. Finally, I really enjoyed being able to see the fruits of my labor after conducting theoretical research.
It was my first real professional experience in design and engineering, and it was very beneficial. The outcome is positive: the results of the project are very encouraging and industrial application should take place soon.
How did AMJE Bordeaux support you throughout this assignment?
I received excellent support from AMJE Bordeaux, particularly through weekly meetings to monitor the progress of the study and maintain regular contact with Unither.
Testimonial from Marc Maury, Pharmacist and Scientific Director at Unither Pharmaceuticals
What were the objectives of the mission entrusted to the AMJE?
This study was intended to develop a syringe-free injection system using Blow-Fill-Seal technology. We had many technical questions about this new system. The complexity lies in manufacturing this type of product on a very large scale. We had questions about product volumes, injection, needle characteristics, etc. It was therefore appropriate to set up calculation and simulation systems to anticipate possible problems.
Why did you call on AMJE Bordeaux?
We first came across AMJE Bordeaux during an initial study focusing on the mechanical aspects of a medicine dispenser. I was very pleased with this initial work, so it was only natural to call on AMJE Bordeaux again for this second project.
I highly recommend the services of AMJE Bordeaux; the students are highly skilled and have a perfect command of digital simulation tools.
