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The first full-service, specialty cell supply chain solution

Researcher examines test tube

Cell and gene therapy logistics require a complex supply chain capable of handling sensitive materials traveling from the manufacturer, to the 3PL, and eventually to the patient.

Explore how ICS can support you in getting your treatments to patients with our cell and gene therapy supply chain service:

 

 

What is cell and gene therapy – and how does the supply chain work? 

Cell and gene therapies are two different types of treatment. They share the goal of treating many diseases, including cancer, genetic disorders, and infections. They do this by enabling alterations in patients’ cells and genes.

Cell therapy transfers cells from one part of the body to another for treatment purposes. Gene therapy is adding, removing, or altering genes in a person’s cells to treat a disease.
 


Specialty cell therapy supply chain solution


The cell therapy supply chain is complex. Cells and genes need to be transported from the lab to the clinic safely and efficiently. Samples from the patient may also need to be transported to the lab. This involves careful planning and coordination between the various parties involved. 

There are many challenges faced by companies managing cell and gene therapy supply chains: 

  • They require delivery within a specific time frame. This is needed to maintain their effectiveness.
  • They need strict temperature control. It keeps them stable and potent during transport. 
  • They must meet strict regulatory rules. This is especially true when they are transported across borders.
  • They are valuable and often irreplaceable. So, keeping a clear chain of custody is critical. 
  • Some cell and gene therapies require special handling. This includes using biohazard containers and avoiding certain types of transport. 
 
 
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The role of the cell and gene therapy supply chain

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When planning cell and gene therapy logistics, steps must be taken to safeguard samples throughout the transport process. This ensures they are viable when they reach patients.

Cell and gene therapies need to stay cold during transit to avoid damage. This often requires cold-chain or cryogenic supply chain solutions with temperatures as low as -150℃. Failure to keep a reliable temperature can cause the sample to degrade. This can undermine the treatment’s effectiveness. 

 
3PL Brooks Distribution Cooler Doors

The right cryogenic packaging can help keep cell and gene therapies at a consistently low temperature throughout their journey. Each cell therapy shipment will have many layers of packaging to protect the product and keep it stable:

  • Primary packaging: Cryobags or cryovials containing the cell sample.
  • Secondary packaging: Container or rack to secure primary packaging.
  • Tertiary packaging: Liquid nitrogen (LN2) dry shipper.
  • Outer packaging: A pallet or box to contain and secure the LN2 shipper.

Cold storage facilities may also be required if the full journey – from patient to lab, or from lab to patient – cannot be completed in a single step. 

 
 
Temperature Control Logistics

ICS’ cell and gene therapy logistics 

Temperature Control Logistics
We understand that new treatments demand a cell and gene therapy supply chain that’s willing to invest and evolve. We are united in our duty to create healthier futures through our relentless pursuit of excellence. We give cell and gene innovators like you an end-to-end storage and distribution solution to support the sale of your therapy now and in the future.
Temperature Control Logistics
 

Our services

ICS offers a unique full-service cell and gene therapy supply chain solution. Our cryogenic infrastructure and well-established methodologies help you overcome logistical complexities. This means you can get your cell and gene therapies to patients when they need them.
An end-to-end platform to help your therapy fulfill its life-saving promise
With ICS as your partner, you can focus on research while we manage the complex day-to-day cell and gene therapy logistics.
A seamless solution that scales along with your cell therapy — from many to millions
To commercialize your cell therapy, you need an experienced partner who can meet your cell therapy supply chain requirements. Cryopreservation, full order-to-cash services, product serialization through our GMP program, packaging, and labeling all need to grow with your business. ICS has a history of foreseeing our clients’ changing needs. We deliver innovation with creative solutions and by investing in our logistics platform.
It’s about more than time and temperature

With the patient in the supply chain, things become more complicated. Innovators need a coordinated cell and gene commercialization solution. It must scale up and support patients and providers equally. A manufacturer’s primary concern should be continual innovation, not infrastructure building to support gene therapy commercialization.

ICS offers integrated cell and gene therapy logistics, which include cryogenic storage, customer service, order-to-cash financial management, and various product distribution models. These can work together to reduce financial risk and operational burden.

We provide the confidence of working with best-in-class partners
Advanced therapies are temperature-sensitive and fragile. Special cold storage and transport are needed to keep these life-changing medicines intact. ICS is proud to partner with Azenta Life Sciences, a top global automation and cryogenic solutions provider. The partnership creates a reliable cell and gene therapy storage solution. It will ensure your valuable molecules are not exposed to damaging warming events. World Courier provides cold transport from your manufacturing location to ICS and to patient care sites.
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Cryogenic storage solution
ICS is the first full-service, specialty pharmaceutical 3PL to invest in a cell therapy supply chain solution with cryogenic storage infrastructure and proven methods. These enable therapy innovators to scale their specialty molecules. They can scale it from many to millions with the confidence that comes from working with a trusted partner.
 


Why ICS?

ICS provides innovative distribution services for specialty medications. These include cell and gene therapy logistics solutions, as well as support for branded and generic drugs, biosimilars, and medical devices.

Customers choose us for these key reasons:

Commitment to excellence

We pursue it relentlessly and follow the highest quality standards. We always strive to improve to provide the best service.

Expert account management model

We act as a single point of access to strategic program design, better 3PL, and performance analytics for your supply chain.

Integrated commercialization solutions

Through us, you have access to solutions from across Cencora. They provide support for each step of the product and patient journey.

Partnership-driven approach

We manage client relationships with a partnership philosophy. We provide flexibility and a solutions-focused mindset. These ensure excellence throughout your product’s journey.

Proven, innovative solutions

We start with a consultative approach. We tailor your logistics strategy to your business goals and patients’ needs.

Proven performance

Our logistics expertise and patient-centric culture provide superior supply chain performance.

Start a conversation

Looking for cell therapy supply chain support? Contact us to learn more.

Cell and gene therapy FAQs

Cell and gene therapies have a 90% success rate during manufacturing – meaning nine in 10 doses are viable for patient use.

Around 650,000 patients are expected to be treated with cell and gene therapies over this decade. 325,000 of these are anticipated to be cancer patients.

The cell and gene therapy market is projected to reach a value of $27.95 billion by 2030, up from $11.21 billion in 2022. 

 

The manufacturing process for a cell or gene therapy will depend on the type of therapy – autologous, allogeneic, or gene therapy.

Manufacturing an autologous therapy involves collecting a sample from a patient in a clinic, which is then transported to a manufacturer to be engineered into a therapeutic product. This will then be transported back to the clinic to be reintroduced to the patient for treatment. The final therapy is only administered to the patient who provided the sample.

Allogeneic cell therapy involves fewer transport steps. This is because it uses a single donor sample to engineer therapies for multiple patients. Gene therapies likewise involve fewer transit legs.

In all cases, it is essential to maintain cell viability throughout transport, by minimizing the risk of delays or changes in temperature.