How does Cold Chain Technologies (CCT) serve the life sciences space?

AC: Since its establishment in 1967, Cold Chain Technologies has been a leading force in the thermal packaging industry. With a portfolio comprising of a wide range of passive thermal packaging solutions that emphasize sustainability and efficiency, we continue to meet the evolving demands of our global clientele with innovative and dependable solutions. In the pharmaceutical industry, sustainability and traceability are fast becoming crucial factors in thermal packaging solutions. We also prioritize traceability to ensure greater visibility in global medication shipments. By focusing on performance, cost-effectiveness, compliance, sustainability, and visibility, we help our pharmaceutical customers achieve the optimal balance in their thermal packaging solutions.

KS: Our company specializes in parcel and palletized cargo solutions, in all aspects of life sciences including the emerging cell and gene therapy sectors due to their stringent temperature control and handling requirements. Furthermore, in response to increased demand post-COVID-19, spurred by regulatory calls for sustainable packaging, we have introduced innovative products like "CCT Naturals," a fully recyclable packaging solution.

What are life sciences companies looking for in a logistic partner these days?

AC: Life sciences partners are seeking a blend of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, sustainability, compliance, and digital track and trace capabilities. They prioritize performance to ensure medications arrive safely and efficaciously to patients. Cost optimization is crucial due to high freight expenses, while compliance is essential to avoid jeopardizing patient safety. Since COVID-19, there has been a notable shift towards sustainability, with customers actively seeking reusable and environmentally friendly packaging solutions. Additionally, digital track and trace capabilities are increasingly vital for visibility and risk mitigation.

KS: The logistics landscape has seen a shift towards a balanced approach to mode selection, considering factors like urgency, cost, and risk mitigation. While air freight was traditionally favored for urgent shipments, there has now been recognition of the criticality of various transport modes. Collaborations between logistics partners and suppliers help ensure product integrity across different modes, mitigating risks associated with unforeseen events like geopolitical conflicts or disruptions in sea freight routes. This balanced approach enhances resilience and risk mitigation in the face of unexpected challenges.

What will come of air cargo in the pharma logistics landscape?

KS: The expectations for 2024 and beyond are that this market remains somewhat flat or may even experience a slight drop, but the need for air freight will always remain, especially for time-sensitive shipments like cell and gene therapies. Trends show increasing use of intermodal transport modes versus traditional road freight in Europe, and the industry must adapt to innovations like drones.

How does CCT view the potential for growth in the cell and gene therapy space?

AC: Even though the volume of products may not be substantial, they are critical therapies and have high costs. The zero-failure expectation emphasizes the importance of precise temperature control and timely logistics coordination, necessitating a comprehensive service model beyond packaging.

How important will AI and ML become in the pharma logistics space?

AC: Currently, our focus lies on tracking and tracing our shipments, both domestically and globally. By capturing extensive data on shipment routes, weather conditions, and transit times, we can identify potential disruptions and notify our customers promptly. This proactive approach, while more aligned with machine learning, enables us to provide valuable insights to our customers and enhance inventory management. As we continue to gather and analyze data, we anticipate advancing toward more sophisticated AI-driven solutions.

What will be the key priorities for Cold Chain Technologies in 2024 and beyond?

KS: Sustainability will be paramount. We must work closely with our customers in the life science industry, understanding their needs and facilitating their goals, particularly regarding reusability and other sustainable practices. Reducing CO2 emissions when it comes to cold chain packaging solutions without giving in on performance is a critical objective for many of our customers. CCT is committed to helping achieve this goal by offering a robust portfolio of innovative and comprehensive temperature assurance solutions and offering technical expertise to choose the right solution based on the temperature needs of their products

AC: The trend is shifting towards providing comprehensive solutions and services beyond just packaging.