Be the Match BioTherapies will use its cell therapy supply chain software, MatchSource, in collaboration with Cryoport’s logistics management platform. In doing so the companies will be able to have full traceability of the cell therapies in the transplant center network.
Chris McClain VP of sales and new development at Be the Match BioTherapies told us cell and gene therapies are the ultimate personalized medicine. He noted how the cells are harvested, flown to a manufacturer and then the manipulated cells are flown back to the transplant center – making for a complex supply chain.
“It is literally a supply chain for one therapy – it needs a couple airplanes for it, which is pretty unusual when you compare it to how drugs are usually distributed,” said McClain.
He said that there are many unknowns that need to be considered during manipulated cell manufacturing and transport. According to McClain, Cryoport’s software, Cryoportal, can help eliminate some of these intricacies through real-time tracking of the transplants.
“The transports of cells and conditions during transport appear to have a very great impact on how well the therapies work,” he said.
Cryoport has the ability, through Cryoportal and its shippers, to track the conditions under which the cells are being transported, a capability Be the Match BioTherapies does not have.
McClain explained, “[Cryoportal] is filling a really important need when it comes to quality and understanding the therapies as they go through this very personalized therapeutic supply chain.”
McClain further explained that Be the Match BioTherapies is supporting a number of companies as they perform clinical studies or launch commercialization of new cell and gene therapy products.