Article: Our Global Advanced Therapy Charging Stations
By Simon Ellison |
Supporting Advanced Therapies with the Largest Global Network of Qualified Cryogenic Charging Stations
To support the growth of the advanced therapy industry and enable more patients than ever before to be treated with these life-changing therapies, World Courier can charge across its network of more than 140 offices globally.
The network is built on World Courier’s existing infrastructure, leveraging the current office and depot network, capability and quality systems. This means that advanced therapy companies can immediately benefit from an established and qualified operation with access to cryogenic shipping solutions close to patient and manufacturing locations.
Our network capability enables access to a full range of cryogenic shippers with shorter lead times and reduced positioning costs.
One of the challenges facing the advanced therapy industry is the delivery of critical shipments, such as apheresis donations and final therapies. The short shelf life of fresh shipments, and the resulting logistics complexity, is encouraging therapy developers to qualify cryopreserved transport. To enable this solution, cryogenic dry-shippers need to be charged with liquid nitrogen (LN2) within a qualified environment. This is a specialized process, in which dry-shippers must be:
- Inspected and cleaned prior to use
- Fully charged, with supporting documentation
- Positioned so they can be loaded with the critical shipment
Only after those stringent steps have been followed can the critical shipment take place. These preparations take time, especially when the charging station may be located in another country from the clinic or manufacturing site.
Advanced therapy clinical trials have increased from 631 in 2016, to 1,028 at the end of 2018, with 92 now in PhIII [1]. In addition, multiple therapies have been commercialized globally. World Courier has a fleet of cryogenic dry shippers, as well as the ability to charge and ship customers’ units throughout its global network. Charging Centers have been identified throughout the global network based on their capacity and geographical requirements.
The strategic intention is for Charging Stations to grow into Centers as globalization of cryogenic services continues. World Courier has been managing cryogenic shipments for over 20 years and has existing global quality systems in place, supported by established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
By utilizing its global network, World Courier helps advanced therapy companies build robust logistics platforms that support the clinical development and commercialization of therapies to meet patient treatment needs.
