Meeting Market Needs through Collaboration and Customization
Gene therapy logistics as a whole are impacted by constant change and complexity, as the industry rapidly expands and evolves. The high stakes and unique demands of transporting advanced therapies have made it clear that logistics solutions can’t be one-size-fits-all; instead, they require customization and adaptability to address each therapy’s unique requirements. At Cryoport Systems, we understand that meaningful innovation comes not only from advanced technology but also from deeply collaborative relationships with our clients.
Through ongoing partnerships with therapy developers and healthcare organizations, Cryoport Systems has developed the Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold shipping system to meet the industry’s most pressing needs. Our collaborative approach has driven development of next-generation shipping systems and supply chain solutions, leaning on real-world insights from our clients to shape features, functionality, and future advancements.
Listening to the Market: Client-Driven Innovation at Cryoport Systems
The rapid expansion in gene therapies as a next-generation approach to medicine has created new logistical challenges that require agile, tailored solutions. Cryoport Systems actively engages with clients to understand their needs, collecting detailed feedback and industry insights to drive each stage of product development. This direct engagement allows us to stay ahead of emerging challenges, designing solutions that not only meet current demands but also anticipate future obstacles.
When the industry is evolving as quickly as we’re seeing with advanced therapies, what works today may not be enough tomorrow. Clients need solutions that can scale with their programs, adapt to regulatory changes, and withstand the rigorous demands of transporting therapies across continents. By staying connected with therapy developers and understanding their unique pain points, Cryoport Systems has been able to create a shipping solution that addresses both current and anticipated needs.
The Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold’s patent-pending payload holding system, for instance, was developed in response to client feedback about the need for a consistent, secure cooling environment that prevents direct contact between payload and dry ice. This feature reflects our commitment to not only solving the challenges clients currently face but also preparing for the challenges they may encounter in the future.
A Collaborative Development Process: Consulting Services and Customization
Cryoport Systems’ consulting services team plays a pivotal role in our collaborative approach to product development. Each new logistics solution, including the Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold shipping system, benefits from cross-functional expertise in fields such as program management, engineering, validation, and regulatory compliance. By working directly with clients throughout the product development lifecycle, our consulting services team ensures that each feature of a new solution is purpose-built to address specific industry challenges.
Customization is critical in gene therapy logistics, where every client’s needs differ based on therapy type, target market, regulatory requirements, and geographic regions. Off-the-shelf solutions like polystyrene boxes simply don’t provide the flexibility needed to safeguard sensitive therapies. Cryoport Systems’ consulting services team partners with clients to gather detailed requirements, assess unique risks, and propose customizations that align with their operational and regulatory needs.
This consultative approach was instrumental in designing the Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold shipping system’s re-icing capability. Client feedback revealed that unpredictable customs delays often posed a risk to hold times, necessitating a solution that allowed for re-icing without exposing the payload to environmental changes. By integrating re-icing access points that don’t compromise payload security, the Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold meets this need while maintaining the system’s strict integrity and security standards.
Developing a Forward-Thinking Mindset: Innovation That Anticipates Future Challenges
The logistics needs of gene therapy developers aren’t static; they’re evolving as therapies advance from early trials to full-scale commercialization. Cryoport Systems’ partnerships with clients don’t end at deployment—we engage in continuous feedback loops that allow us to refine our solutions over time. This forward-thinking approach has made the Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold shipping system adaptable to the dynamic nature of gene therapy logistics, supporting clients as they scale and expand their programs globally.
As gene therapy moves toward mainstream adoption, the logistics involved in clinical trials differ greatly from those required for commercial distribution. Therapy developers need a logistics partner that anticipates the challenges of scaling up, regulatory changes, and new international markets. Cryoport Systems’ focus on forward-thinking innovation ensures that the Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold shipping system can evolve alongside the industry, adapting to meet the logistical complexities of commercialization.
When developing the Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold shipping system, clients voiced concerns about the scalability of their logistics solutions, particularly as they began planning for substantially more shipments and cross-border distribution. Cryoport Systems responded by designing a robust, scalable system that complies with ISO 21973 standards for these types of high-value biomaterials. This ensures that the Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold can support larger volume shipments, new regions, and the compliance requirements essential to commercialization.
Building Trust Through a Partnership Approach
Cryoport Systems’ approach to client collaboration goes beyond product customization—it’s about building trust and serving as a strategic logistics partner throughout the entire temperature-controlled supply chain. Our clients are often handling therapies with profound implications for patient health, so they need a logistics provider that not only understands these high stakes but is also committed to mitigating the risks involved.
The success of gene therapies depends on more than just innovative science; it relies on logistics partners who share in the responsibility of protecting patient outcomes. Cryoport Systems’ commitment to collaboration and customization allows us to build deep partnerships, helping clients navigate complex logistics scenarios and proactively addressing issues before they arise.
One such client, concerned about maintaining product stability over lengthy international shipments, worked closely with our consulting team to optimize their shipping lanes and temperature control protocols. Through this partnership, we were able to establish a customized route and transit plan that minimized transit times and maintained product integrity. The Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold’s advanced monitoring system was also tailored to provide near real-time data on these critical shipments, bringing the full robustness and risk mitigation of our traditional cryogenic shipping systems to the dry ice temperature band, reinforcing the trust that our client had in our ability to manage high-stakes logistics.
The Role of Client Feedback in Shaping Key Features of the Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold Shipping System
Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold has several features that were directly shaped by client feedback and collaboration, each of which addresses a critical need in the gene therapy logistics market. Some of the system’s most impactful features were, in fact, developed through our collaborative process with clients:
- Near Real-Time Condition Monitoring: Gene therapy developers expressed a need for near real-time visibility into their shipments, including data on temperature, humidity, pressure, and handling. The Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold’s monitoring system was designed to meet this demand, providing continuous, near real-time data that supports rapid decision-making and risk mitigation.
- Secure Re-Icing Capability: Clients highlighted the need for a re-icing solution that didn’t require payload access. Not only does the Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold shipping system offer industry-leading hold times to ensure product integrity, but it incorporates a re-icing capability separate from the payload itself for re-icing without compromising security—a feature that helps to proactively mitigate the risks associated with unforeseen delays.
- Reusable, Sustainable Design: Many clients are also prioritizing sustainability. Through consultations, Cryoport Systems recognized the need for a more environmentally friendly, reusable option that reduces both waste and costs over time. The Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold shipping system’s reusable design not only addresses these client concerns but also aligns with industry sustainability initiatives.
Preparing for the Future: Adapting the Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold Shipping System for Emerging Trends
Cryoport Systems’ commitment to collaboration extends to future-focused adaptations. As new technologies, regulations, and market demands emerge, our team stays engaged with clients to ensure that their temperature-controlled supply chain solutions remain relevant and effective in a fast-evolving industry.
In situations like these where the market is experiencing such rapid growth, adaptability is essential. As therapies evolve and regulatory landscapes change, logistics solutions must remain flexible enough to meet new standards and processes. Our collaborative approach allows us to continuously gather insights from our clients, ensuring that the Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold shipping system stays at the forefront of industry needs.
For instance, as clients consider the commercialization of gene therapies, they’ve voiced the need for optimized transit systems that can support larger shipments and a wider array of environmental conditions. In response, Cryoport Systems has begun exploring enhancements to scalability, as well as potential features that could support alternative storage conditions. By remaining engaged with clients, we ensure the Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold shipping system evolves with the needs of the advanced therapy sector, supporting commercialization efforts without sacrificing quality or security.
Enabling Progress Through Collaboration
Cryoport Systems’ success in gene therapy logistics stems not only from our technological advancements but from our dedication to collaboration and customization. By working closely with clients to understand their specific challenges, Cryoport Systems has developed a system that reflects both our deep industry knowledge and our commitment to supporting life-saving therapies.
The Cryoport Elite™ Ultra Cold shipping system stands as a testament to what can be achieved when logistics providers and therapy developers work together. Through these partnerships, Cryoport Systems has developed a shipping solution that not only meets today’s demands but is adaptable enough to evolve alongside gene therapy’s future. As we continue to innovate, Cryoport Systems remains committed to Enabling the Outcome™ for our clients—and for the patients who depend on their work.
For more information on how Cryoport Systems can customize logistics solutions to meet your needs, download our recent case study on collaboration-driven innovation in logistics.
Hear from Cryoport Systems Senior Vice President, Mike Dybicz, as he speaks on consulting for customized risk-mitigation:
You can also listen to the full podcast with Fierce Biotech.