CEO of Cold Chain Technologies, Ranjeet Banerjee, emphasizes how the company not only produces cutting-edge packaging for transporting biopharmaceuticals and vaccines but also plays a pivotal role in saving lives by ensuring the safe and effective delivery of vital drugs.
INNOVATION IN COLD CHAIN MANAGEMENT FOR LIFE SCIENCES
The US boasts the world’s largest pharmaceuticals market, with more leading companies than any other country.
The drug industry is supported by a robust pharma services sector, which includes packaging manufacturers.
The BioTech, pharmaceutical, and medical technology industries are experiencing significant growth in the healthcare sector. Therefore, specialized transportation methods, advanced thermal packaging, and digital monitoring solutions are vital to maintaining the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals and vaccines globally.
Crucial to a delivery network of lifesaving care from the doors of specialty pharmacies, life sciences distributors, and manufacturers to patients is Cold Chain Technologies (CCT).
Pharmaceuticals must be transported under controlled conditions and temperatures, which is where CCT’s products, services, and digital solutions come in.
“We played a significant role in developing thermal packaging for the global transportation of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, we now provide this service for a broader range of biopharmaceuticals,” opens Ranjeet Banerjee, CEO.
Headquartered in Franklin near Boston, Massachusetts, and operating for over five decades, CCT has focused on driving innovative life sciences solutions and products for the last 25 years.
“We have multiple ISO-certified locations, including manufacturing facilities, distribution centres, and offices in the US, Europe, Latin America, and Asia,” Banerjee adds.
The team at CCT partners with customers to understand problems and potential challenges and they collaboratively select the appropriate packaging solution tailored to their needs.
“We provide two options: a comprehensive portfolio of existing products, or, as we have the capabilities to do so, we can design something tailored to the needs of our strategic partners. Any product undergoes testing, and our customers will be provided the validation documents for quality and compliance purposes,” he elaborates.
FORCING THE PHARMACEUTICAL FRONTIER
Banerjee is excited about the global and complex aspects of supply chain trends and the new therapeutics in drug development are experiencing significant innovation.
“Biopharmaceuticals, such as vaccines, antibody drugs, and cell and gene therapy, are large-molecule formulations that require special temperature monitoring and control during transportation.
“Companies can excel in drug development and manufacturing, but if the transportation isn’t handled properly, the drugs could lose their efficacy and safety, which impacts patient outcomes – this is where we come in,” Banerjee voices.
With many years of experience working with multiple large global pharmaceuticals, medical technology, and diagnostic companies and distributors worldwide, CCT offers its expertise through a comprehensive product portfolio and service as well as providing consulting expertise.
Through advanced product design and digital capabilities, CCT delivers high-quality solutions to track, trace, and predict, which can often prevent any temperature excursions before they occur.
“Ultimately, we aim to assure customers that the lifesaving vaccines and other pharmaceutical products transported in our advanced solutions are maintained under the precise conditions required throughout their journey from lab or plant to patient.”
Acutely aware of compromising patient safety, CCT ensures efficient deliveries through digital solutions for remote tracking, tracing, and monitoring with state-of-the-art Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
“Our data and digital tracking platforms go one step further by predicting issues such as interruptions in the supply chain and assist in decision making. For instance, if there is a delay in air freight, we can remotely detect it, which will lead to an alert, and that in turn could lead to an intervention if necessary,” explains Banerjee.
While technology can lead to substantial cost savings, Banerjee acknowledges that what is more important is the benefits of improving patient safety and driving better patient outcomes.
“According to an independent study, $35 billion worth of pharmaceutical products are wasted yearly due to temperature fluctuations. Ensuring the safe administration of drugs and vaccines is a significant and challenging task as it involves transporting them from A to B and then to the recipient,” he shares.
“We never cut corners, especially considering we transport life-saving drugs and vaccines”
Ranjeet Banerjee, CEO, Cold Chain Technologies
FROM DESIGN TO DELIVERY
With diverse core competencies and a broad portfolio of solutions, customers can confidently approach CCT with unique challenges.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, a vaccine manufacturer approached us with a product that required transportation at ultra-low temperatures. We collaborated with the company, leveraging our thermal design and engineering capabilities to solve the issue,” Banerjee reflects.
Another facet of CCT is its material science capabilities, including its proprietary phase-change materials (PCMs), a thermal energy storage and release technique.
The company utilizes cutting-edge insulations, and the interplay of thermal design and engineering ensures that the temperature is maintained for extended periods.
Subject to rigorous testing, CCT also adheres to industry standards to validate products.
“In our R&D centre near Boston, we operate one of the largest ISTA-certified testing laboratories for thermal packaging solutions worldwide. The reports from these tests are often included in regulatory submissions,” he notes.
Moreover, customers are continually supported during onboarding to ensure they use the products correctly. Additionally, digital tracking and optimization provide customers with package location updates.
“Even though carriers can provide package tracking information, what sets us apart is our ability to monitor temperatures accurately. We can also predict temperature excursions, offering a comprehensive range of capabilities from design and selection to manufacturing and tracking,” Banerjee emphasizes.
ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
Addressing important challenges in manufacturing, CCT offers sustainable packaging solutions that also meet customer performance and cost requirements.
“Our extensive line of reusable products features EcoFlex™, a parcel shipping solution that includes a fully capable monitoring platform, allowing us to track and trace the location of items and monitor the temperatures they are exposed to,” Banerjee enlightens.
The company took its first significant step towards sustainability four years ago when EcoFlex™ was extensively used for transporting the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We were a large part of the Operation Warp Speed program for the US federal government. The product is performing exceptionally well, and as a result, we have expanded our product line to include an ultra-low temperature range of -80°F,” he divulges.
Furthermore, CCT has the industry’s largest fleet for EcoFlex™, reducing fossil fuel-based raw material use through container reuse. The other element of sustainability is high-quality, high-performing, yet affordable single-use sustainable products.
Two years ago, CCT acquired Packaging Technology Group (PTG) and subsequently gained capabilities in using cellulose, a naturally occurring material, in thermal packaging.
Creating high-quality, high-performing insulation from cellulose, which can be transformed into single-use packaging using automated programs, results in cost-effective products.
“We have successfully launched our cellulose-based eco-friendly packaging in Europe and the US,” states Banerjee.
The EcoFlex™ and cellulose packaging options both aim to provide customers with sustainable solutions. CCT also equips customers with data to support environmental benefit claims from using their products.
ADVANCING VALUABLE CONNECTIONS
Continuing the development of sustainable products and reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based materials are two important goals for CCT.
“Initially, we wanted to avoid 50 million pounds (Ibs) of landfill by 2025, and we beat that ahead of time because our reusable products started taking off. We extended our goal to 75 million lbs, and now we are on track to eliminate 100 million lbs through sustainable products and solutions. We have the largest fleet, and as we keep growing, so do the sustainability benefits,” Banerjee explains.
STATE-OF-THE-ART DIGITAL SOLUTIONS
Furthermore, CCT is excited about assuring customers with sophisticated digital solutions.
Predicting an excursion and intervening before it happens is a powerful tool that the company can achieve through automated monitoring.
“We are also incorporating decision support capabilities that can reduce waste in last-mile delivery, create value, and improve patient safety,” he points out.
This convergence of IoT and artificial intelligence (AI) in data sciences means CCT now collects and utilizes data from its packaging.
“Our packages transmit data – the ‘intelligent connective tissue’ across the last mile from manufacturer to patient. The information we receive from this can be used to support decision making,” outlines Banerjee.
CCT, therefore, uses data to minimize waste in the system, enhance patient safety, and is planning to roll out intelligent applications on an ongoing basis.
GLOBAL EXPANSION
The company continues to expand globally and is currently building another plant to complement its multiple locations in Europe, as well as the recent acquisition of a company in Europe.
“We recently established a new manufacturing facility in Breda, Netherlands, which is now up and running. Additionally, we are expanding our operations in São Paulo, Brazil – there is a lot of expansion occurring within the pharmaceutical value chain worldwide,” concludes Banerjee.
Demonstrating a commitment to patients, CCT takes pride in addressing the unique challenges faced by the life sciences sector.
Through innovative packaging technology, it ensures that products receive the correct care throughout the cold chain journey, thereby entrusting the future of healthcare to the vanguard of the manufacturing industry.
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