Mark Sawicki Joins Base to Base Biotech to Discuss the Future of Cell and Gene Therapy Logistics 

Mark Sawicki, President and CEO of Cryoport Systems, recently joined host Jim Cornall on the Base to Base Biotech podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolving cell and gene therapy landscape and the role of specialized supply chain infrastructure in supporting patient access. 

The episode, titled “Cell and gene therapy logistics, and turning back the Parkinson’s clock,” featured Mark in the first interview segment, where he discussed how Cryoport Systems supports the life sciences industry through temperature-controlled supply chain solutions, bioservices, cryopreservation, logistics, and technology-enabled monitoring. 

During the conversation, Mark explained that cell and gene therapy has entered an important transition point. After the first wave of commercial approvals, the industry is now focused on making these therapies more scalable, more accessible, and more cost-effective. He noted that this next phase will require greater standardization across manufacturing, supply chain, clinical site operations, data systems, and regulatory expectations. 

A major theme of the discussion was patient access. Mark highlighted that many advanced therapies are still primarily available through large teaching hospitals, limiting access for many patients. Expanding into community care settings will be essential if the industry is going to reach more people. Cryoport Systems is working with clinical and commercial partners to help make that possible by supporting storage, transport, chain of custody, chain of identity, and other critical supply chain requirements. 

Mark also addressed one of the most persistent questions in the field: cost. While the manufacturing process itself carries a significant portion of the expense, he explained that supply chain efficiency can still play a meaningful role in reducing overall cost of goods. Through process harmonization, standardized packaging, integrated data, and more efficient logistics models, Cryoport Systems has helped partners identify opportunities to reduce supply chain-related costs. 

The conversation also explored the global outlook for cell and gene therapy. Mark discussed how emerging markets are beginning to build domestic manufacturing and supply chain capabilities, with India serving as one example of a country working to lower costs by producing therapies locally. He emphasized that the path to broader access will take time, but the industry is already moving in that direction. 

Looking ahead, Mark described cell and gene therapy as a potential third major pillar of the pharmaceutical industry, alongside small molecules and biologics. He shared the example of a patient treated with gene therapy for sickle cell disease who went from struggling to walk across a room to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. For Mark, stories like that illustrate why the field holds such promise. 

Cryoport Systems remains focused on helping the industry overcome the practical barriers that stand between scientific innovation and patient access. That includes supporting community care expansion, improving standardization, and helping partners build more efficient, reliable, and compliant supply chain models. 

Listen to the full episode of Base to Base Biotech here:  Base to Base Biotech Podcast 63: Cell and gene therapy logistics, and turning back the Parkinson’s clock