Assessing trends in temperature-sensitive biologic shipments
In this ‘First Person’ Q&A, Mike Rice, President & CEO, BioLife Solutions, Inc., discusses the role of a smart shipping container and a related cloud-hosted ‘cold chain’ management app.
Packaging World: What are some of the key current issues in temperature-sensitive packaging/logistics/shipping?
Mike Rice: The market today comprises dozens of companies supplying active and passive shipping containers of various payload capacities, data loggers, and GPS trackers, and offering white glove courier services for high-value shipments. Rather than complete monitoring of 100% of shipments, there is widespread use of a “validate then assume” approach, where minimal assessment of true post-delivery viability and functional performance of biologics is completed, taking into account seasonal changes in ambient temperature and the need for cell-based products to recover from cold storage before use.
Innovation has been incremental over the last few decades and opportunities exist for disruptive technologies to displace traditional suppliers. We believe this is being driven by the convergence of innovation in mobile electronics, increased quality and regulatory scrutiny of drug development and administration, and massive amounts of funding in the regenerative medicine market, along with the acceptance of cloud computing.
