Aptar Pharma, a global leader in drug delivery and active material science solutions and services, today announced that it has acquired Metaphase Design Group, Inc., a leader in applying the science of human factors engineering and ergonomics to product design.
The acquisition expands Aptar Pharma’s portfolio of services as well as the business’s ability to become a single source provider to its pharmaceutical and biotech customers throughout their drug development journey. The transaction enhances Aptar Pharma’s ability to transform ideas into user-centric solutions by capturing the voice of the patient every step of the way, from formulation to device design capabilities, and bring best-in-class drug delivery solutions to market.
Founded in 1991, Metaphase incorporates various areas of specialization in their User Centered Design Innovation Process, combining them with extensive expertise in Industrial Design and Human Factors research and support. These include formative and summative studies, threshold analysis, patient journey mapping, risk analysis, regulatory submission support and UX design to help their clients optimize their product development journey.
Metaphase will be integrated into Noble, an Aptar Pharma company and a world leader in drug delivery training device programs, medical device training solutions, market insight services and patient onboarding strategies. The addition of Metaphase to Noble enhances Aptar Pharma’s patient-centric approach.
Metaphase’s expertise will also compliment the products and services that Noble currently provides to pharmaceutical and biotech companies to help improve patient training and onboarding, including their Human Factors Plus (HF+) program. Launched in 2021, Noble’s HF+ program offers their clients an expansive platform of services including device selection, product design solutions, human factors testing, risk analysis, packaging and labeling services, and regulatory submission support.
Gael Touya, President of Aptar Pharma, commented, “We are pleased to welcome Metaphase to the Aptar Pharma family. The combined expertise of Noble and Metaphase in Human Factors fully aligns with our mission to bring the voice of the patient into all parts of the development process. At Aptar Pharma, our primary goal is improving patients’ experiences and health outcomes.”
“We are excited to be joining Aptar Pharma and to expand our ability to impact the pharmaceutical industry and help our clients optimize the design of their devices, while continuing to serve our loyal client base in healthcare, consumer, and food and beverage markets,” stated Dr. Bryce Rutter, Metaphase Design Group CEO. “Combining our resources with the foundation that Noble has established with their Human Factors Plus program will also better enable us to represent the voice of the user throughout the product development journey.”
Craig Baker, Vice President of Commercialization at Noble added, “With Metaphase’s work in design and expertise in ergonomics, this acquisition fully complements our work here at Noble in building a better patient experience through innovative training solutions and strategies inspired by listening to patients themselves.”
About Metaphase Design Group
Founded in 1991, Metaphase Design Group is a leading expert in ergonomic product design and a specialist in the design of high-touch hand-intensive products and packaging. Working with several of the world’s largest and most prestigious brands across multiple industries, Metaphase combines decades of research, human factors and industrial design experience with expertise in user insights, hand function, ergonomics, design ideation and development, and social sciences to develop and implement realistic design solutions that enable brands to patent designs, optimize product performance and to help improve the overall user experience. Metaphase also created The Dignity Factor™, which is about bringing “Dignity” and a more “Humane” approach to the Research & Design of medical devices, equipment, products and home care for people of all ages, from infants to an aging population. Metaphase is based St. Louis, MO. For information, please visit www.metaphase.com.
About Aptar Pharma
Aptar Pharma is part of AptarGroup, Inc., global leader in the design and manufacturing of a broad range of drug delivery, consumer product dispensing and active material science solutions and services. Aptar’s innovative solutions and services serve a variety of end markets including pharmaceutical, beauty, personal care, home care, food and beverage. Using insights, proprietary design, engineering and science to create dispensing, dosing and protective technologies for many of the world’s leading brands, Aptar in turn makes a meaningful difference in the lives, looks, health and homes of millions of patients and consumers around the world. Aptar is headquartered in Crystal Lake, Illinois and has 13,000 dedicated employees in 20 countries. For more information, visit www.aptar.com.
