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Safeguarding advanced therapies every step of the way
Cryogenic transportation is one of the most critical and complex processes in the pharmaceutical industry, especially for advanced therapies like cell and gene treatments. Ensuring that temperature-sensitive materials—such as living cells or genetic material—maintain their integrity throughout storage and transit is no small feat. Even a slight temperature deviation can compromise product viability, delay treatments, and impact patient outcomes.
At Cencora, we take the complexity out of cryogenic logistics. Whether you’re scaling up clinical trials, preparing for commercialization, or managing global distribution, our cryogenic storage and transportation solutions are specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by advanced therapy manufacturers. From maintaining ultra-low temperatures to supporting compliance with rigorous quality standards, we deliver reliability and precision to protect your life-saving therapies.
Across our global network, we have extensive experience handling low and ultra-low temperature (ULT) products and continue to invest in this area to meet rising demand. Please inquire about specific country capabilities to support your current and future needs.
Cryogenics explained
Cryogenics means producing, storing, or studying materials in extremely cold temperatures. While water transforms from a liquid to a solid at 0°C, cryogenic temperatures range much lower, from -150°C to -273°C. -273°C is the absolute lowest temperature that can be achieved. These temperatures can be achieved through various methods:
- Heat conduction: A sample is placed in direct contact with a fluid that is already at a cryogenic temperature. Heat from the sample will be conducted to the fluid until both are at the same temperature.
- Evaporative cooling: When materials are in a liquid form, they have less energy than in their gaseous form. To cool a sample by this method, operators encourage the process of evaporation by pumping away the atoms as they evaporate to get the material to the correct temperature.
- Cooling by rapid expansion: A gas can be cooled to a liquid by quickly expanding its volume and thus lowering its temperature.
- Adiabatic demagnetization: “Paramagnetic salts” are used to absorb heat. These salts are a collection of tiny magnets. When an electromagnet is near, they repel from the magnetic field of the electromagnet, making them align in a lattice pattern.
Our cryogenic storage service specifications
Comprehensive system design
- 21-day liquid nitrogen (LN2) hold time for uninterrupted extended storage
- Best-in-class cryogenic automation and manual storage system to accommodate a range of therapy types and capacity needs
- Flexible storage for cryo cassettes and bags to suit various product formats
- Advanced infrastructure mitigates temperature and environmental risks
- Scalable design to support growth from clinical trials to commercialization. Please inquire about specific country capabilities.
Controlled and documented access
- Comprehensive system audit trail to ensure compliance and traceability
- Reduces the need for advanced cryogenic handling training, simplifying operations
- Insulating tower minimizes temperature fluctuations during access
- Fast retrieval reduces temperature risks and protects sensitive therapies
- Standardized SOPs limit errors and ensure consistency
- Secure access controls protect high-value therapies
Simplified inventory management
- Ergonomic system design reduces the risk of injury during handling, enhancing safety
- Simplified software interfaces for easier inventory tracking and operational efficiency
- Integrates with Cencora’s ERP for real-time visibility and streamlined workflows
- Compact design optimizes space utilization while maintaining high storage capacity
- Enhanced inventory tracking ensures precise monitoring and quick material access
Related solutions
Cell and gene therapy logistics
Need more information about cryogenic transport?
Further explore our cryogenic storage and transportation solutions delivered by World Courier, a Cencora business. Or you can fill out the form to connect with our CGT logistics team and someone will get back to you.