Cell and gene therapies use a patient’s own tissues to manufacture treatments that are reintroduced into the donor. Cells are harvested from a patient and sent to a remote laboratory to be cultured over a period of weeks before being sent back to the patient’s healthcare providers. A lost shipment would require that process to start over again. 

Many cell and gene cargoes require cryogenic temperatures of hundreds of degrees below zero in order to maintain their integrity. More affordable refrigeration and packaging technologies have contributed to the growth in the deployment of cell and gene therapies in recent years. Foolproof technologies for the tracking and tracing of individual shipments are also required for the success of the cell and gene supply chain. The industry has benefitted from the collaboration developed in the face of COVID-19 supply chain dislocations, leading to packaging, temperature solutions and monitoring capabilities that are robust, proven and validated. 

The latest sensors can now accommodate the full range of temperatures required for cell and gene therapy shipments. Systems use geolocation technology to track and report on shipments with accuracy and geofencing to report on deviations from expected routes. Shipment data is communicated to a platform via 5G wireless technology, which triggers reports if excursions occur so that contingencies can be prepared. The data gathered throughout the shipment process proves that the product was kept at the proper temperatures and conditions throughout transit. Data is also used to analyze performance, address issues, and plan for future shipments. 

The administration of cell and gene therapies has grown in recent years thanks to cost reductions, to the benefit of many more patients. The supply chain for cell and gene therapies will continue to escalate, requiring the technology to be available at scale. Continued supply chain cooperation will also be instrumental in the future success of these innovative treatments.

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