We’re at the beginning of a revolution in medicine, driven by advances in the understanding of humans at a cellular level. Here’s everything you need to know about the world of cell and gene therapy shipments.
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Imagine a future where diseases once considered incurable become treatable, thanks to the ground-breaking field of cell and gene therapies.
These amazing treatments use a patient’s own tissues to create personalised therapies, giving hope to countless individuals.
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The cell and gene therapy supply chain and logistics market size was valued at $1.23 Billion in 2022 and is predicted to reach a skyrocketing $3.12 billion by the year 2031 according to Cision PR Newswire research.
The cell and gene therapy supply chain and logistics market is predicted to reach over $3B by 2031.
But getting these life-changing therapies safely from the lab to the patient’s door is no easy task.
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Pioneering Personalised Treatments
Cell and gene therapies have incredible potential to tackle a wide range of diseases that were once considered impossible to cure.
By using living cells or genetic material, these therapies are tailored to everyone, making them highly effective.
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But their personalised nature means they require special care during transportation. They can be sensitive to things like temperature, light, and mechanical stress, which can affect their potency.
So, getting them from point A to point B safely is crucial.
Ensuring Efficacy and Viability
To maintain their effectiveness, cell and gene therapies need to be handled with extreme care throughout their journey.
They have a limited shelf life and require specific storage conditions, which adds an extra layer of complexity to their transportation. Ensuring that they remain viable and potent from the moment they leave the lab until they reach the patient’s bedside requires advanced packaging and storage solutions.
Past Science Direct research deduced that the pharmaceutical industry loses roughly $35 billion annually as a result of temperature excursions, making distribution one of the most fragile links in many manufacturers’ product development.
The pharmaceutical industry loses roughly $35 billion annually because of temperature excursions.
Compliance Made Simple
Transporting cell and gene therapies isn’t just about boxes and labels. It’s a whole world of regulations and compliance requirements.
There are guidelines to follow, like the Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations, to ensure these therapies are delivered safely and effectively.
A recent study by Pharma.Aero, emphasises the need for increased collaboration between the cell and gene therapy sector and air transport players in the logistics industry.
Proper packaging, labelling, documentation, and quality control are essential to meet the rigorous standards set forth by these regulations.
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Overcoming Transportation Challenges
Transporting cell and gene therapies can be tricky. But that’s where innovation comes into play.
Patient materials move from local labs to manufacturing facilities and eventually to hospitals for treatment. So, it’s a critical process that demands the use of technology systems and robust quality tracking.
Brilliant minds in the industry are constantly coming up with ingenious solutions to overcome the unique challenges of transporting these therapies. Advanced temperature-controlled packaging systems with real-time monitoring technology provide enhanced protection for these delicate treatments.
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Blockchain technology adds an extra layer of security and traceability, ensuring that every step of the supply chain is transparent. And, believe it or not, drones are taking to the skies to deliver therapies to remote areas, making sure that no patient is left behind.
“Drones call attention to several key challenges that need to be resolved in order to make cell and gene therapies more accessible to the broader public.”
Cenk Sumen, PhD, chair of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy Outreach and Communications Committee.
Key Takeaway
Cell and gene therapy shipments represent a new frontier in healthcare. They require specialised handling, compliance with regulations, and innovative solutions to ensure their safe and effective delivery.
As we navigate the complexities of transporting these therapies, we pave the way for a future where once-incurable diseases can be curable.
With our renowned global healthcare control tower, we ensure the successful execution of each shipment, providing peace of mind and enabling the delivery of hope to patients in need. At Aramex, we’re dedicated to empowering our clients to make a difference in the world, one shipment at a time.
