Cryogenic Logistics: Ensuring Integrity in Ultra-Low Temperature Pharmaceutical Transport

There’s nothing new about the concept of low temperature logistics in the pharmaceutical industry. Transporting medicines at temperatures just below freezing is commonplace, however some products need to be kept at much, much colder temperatures to preserve their integrity. This is where Cryogenics come into play.

It’s predicted that the global market for cryogenic solutions will grow by an average of 8.01% per year between 2024 and 2029 — so why is their role so crucial?

Why Cryogenics?

Biological samples such as cells, tissue and genetic materials are often used in scientific research and clinical trials.

In recent years, for example, there has been huge growth in regenerative medicine, or tissue engineering, along with developments in cell and gene therapy. Preserving the integrity of the biological material for this research is absolutely crucial to achieving optimal results for patients and so technologies such as liquid nitrogen freezers which can reach temperatures of −196ºC are employed for this purpose. At these temperatures, all metabolic processes stop, enabling the samples to be preserved indefinitely.

Global immunisation programmes around the world over the past 50 years have saved millions of lives, including the extensive COVID-19 vaccination programme. Cryogenic temperatures also play a key role in the preservation and transportation of these vital vaccines. Exposure to incorrect temperatures — too hot or too cold — can destroy some vaccine components which in turn compromises their integrity. Hence, they have to be stored and transported in specialised freezers, or containers known as dewar flasks.

Types of equipment

There’s a huge range of cryogenic equipment — liquid nitrogen freezers which place their contents in a potentially indefinite state of suspended animation; Vapour-phase freezers, suited for contents which require frequent access; freezers with adjustable cooling rates which are effective in preventing the formation of damaging ice crystals; easily-cleanable dry-shipping containers; and versatile dewar flasks.

Just Some of the Benefits of Cryogenics

• Viability without compromise



It ensures that cells and tissues are preserved for as long as they need to be without any change in quality.



• Long Distance Reach



Critical materials can now travel further than ever before without losing their integrity.



• Regulatory Compliance



Compliance with stringent regulations can be easily and successfully achieved.

The Responsibility of Logistics Providers

Modern technology provides effective safeguarding such as temperature control. However, in the absence of formal government regulation, it’s the responsibility of logistics providers to take a belts and braces approach and implement their own best practices. This can include staff certification, additional temperature monitoring and internal quality control systems, equipment testing, and live tracking. In short, whatever it takes to make sure that these vital loads reach their destinations safely and in optimal quality.

Cryogenics have played a huge role in the advancement of medical research and transport of treatments, drugs and materials all over the world. Innovation and development is constant, as is the development of transparent, trusting relationships between the pharmaceutical industry, logistics providers and end users. Working together, there’s no doubt that many more lives can be saved and changed.