# 181 - Can Ampoule Drug Delivery Systems REVOLUTIONIZE the Industry?

- Show: [Let's Combinate](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate)
- Published: 2025-03-26
- Length: 20m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2025-03-26-181-can-ampoule-drug-delivery-systems-revolutionize-the-industry
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letscombinate/episodes/181---Can-Ampoule-Drug-Delivery-Systems-REVOLUTIONIZE-the-Industry-e30khu8

## Summary

Eric Sugalski, Founder and CTO of Archimedic, discusses the Ampule Filled Syringe (AFS) system developed by his company Ampulous, which aims to combine the stability of ampules with the usability of pre-filled syringes. He explains that while pre-filled syringes (PFS) are preferred for usability, the high cost ($5M–$50M) and long timeline (18 months to several years) of transitioning from vials prevent many pharmaceutical companies from making the switch. Sugalski details how AFS decouples drug filling from device assembly, allowing the ampule to be filled separately and inserted into the syringe later, thereby bypassing the complex and expensive PFS manufacturing infrastructure. The conversation covers the technical challenges of glass particulate, heat-sensitive biologics, and human factors, as well as the historical context of ampule usage globally versus in the US.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2025-03-26-181-can-ampoule-drug-delivery-systems-revolutionize-the-industry#t=6) Introduction and the Problem with Vials
- [3:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2025-03-26-181-can-ampoule-drug-delivery-systems-revolutionize-the-industry#t=215) Cost and Time Barriers to Pre-filled Syringes
- [8:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2025-03-26-181-can-ampoule-drug-delivery-systems-revolutionize-the-industry#t=524) Introducing Ampulous and the AFS System
- [9:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2025-03-26-181-can-ampoule-drug-delivery-systems-revolutionize-the-industry#t=571) Technical Details: Decoupling Supply Chains
- [14:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2025-03-26-181-can-ampoule-drug-delivery-systems-revolutionize-the-industry#t=875) Historical Context and Global Usage
- [16:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2025-03-26-181-can-ampoule-drug-delivery-systems-revolutionize-the-industry#t=971) Addressing Resistance and Human Factors

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Archimedic (company)
- Ampulous (company)
- Ampule Filled Syringe (product)
- pre-filled syringes (product)
- vials (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S6E51 Eric Richins | What It's Like Being A Packaging Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-12-19-s6e51-eric-richins-what-its-like-being-a-packaging-engineer) (Being an Engineer)
- [323 - Nerding Out on Medical Packaging & Ditching PVC with Keith Smith of Vonco](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-09-08-323-nerding-out-on-medical-packaging-ditching-pvc-with-keith-smith-of-vonco) (People of Packaging)
- [Why the PMA Process is so Dreaded by Manufacturers in the US Market](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-03-25-why-the-pma-process-is-so-dreaded-by-manufacturers-in-the-us-market) (Global Medical Device Podcast)

## Citing this page

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