HealthBeacon has launched its Green Labs facility in Dublin that will enable a circular economy for pharmaceutical clients and an R&D centre for sustainable solutions for sharps waste.
HealthBeacon, which went public last year, develops products for managing injectable medications for patients in the home. The company's technology reminds the patient to take their medication and notifies them when their sharps bin is nearing capacity.
The full sharps bin is then collected from the patient’s home, undergoes a validated washing regime and can then be returned to the patient for re-use.
HealthBeacon is partnering with Novartis Ireland to utilise the Green Labs to create a platform to provide solutions quickly and easily for patients on Novartis treatments used by rheumatology, dermatology and neurology patients.
At the opening event, enterprise minister Leo Varadkar commented: “We need to take better care of our planet, and a big part of this involves using fewer of the earth’s resources and recycling, repairing and reusing materials more often. It’s called the circular economy.
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“Medical waste can be a particular challenge given the need to make sure quality and safe standards are high and consistent and sterile to prevent infection. But there are solutions.
“I’m really happy to officially open this Green Labs facility from HealthBeacon. Congratulations to the team on their first partnership with Novartis Ireland too. I’m sure it will prove to be a beneficial collaboration for both partners.”
HealthBeacon CEO Jim Joyce noted that billions of injectable waste devices end up in household trash, landfills or incineration facilities.
“Today, in partnership with Novartis in Ireland we are taking a major step in reversing those unsustainable practices by launching our new EPA licensed Green Labs facility,” he said.
“This facility will allow us to sustainably process Sharps Bins and Injectable waste across Ireland. Together through innovative solutions and partnerships we can improve patient care in a more sustainable way.”
Leo Clancy, Enterprise Ireland CEO, said: “Enterprise Ireland is proud to partner with HealthBeacon as they continue to play an important role in improving patient outcomes by harnessing smart technology.
“This latest step in their journey, as they partner with Novartis, also brings sustainable practices to the fore. I congratulate both firms for their efforts in this space.”
Audrey Derveloy, country president of Novartis in Ireland, described the smart sharps bin as an example of a ‘beyond the pill’ solution designed to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.
“This new partnership gives us the opportunity to go a step further and work to provide a fully circular pharmaceutical supply chain for patients in Ireland, moving Novartis closer to its ambition to be carbon neutral across our supply chain by 2030,” Said Derveloy.
Photo (l-r): Jim Joyce, Audrey Derveloy, and Leo Varadkar.
