Lonza and Cryoport, Inc. have partnered in the cell and gene therapy field and across Lonza’s ‘vein-to-vein’ delivery network. Lonza has selected Cryoport as its preferred partner in the transport and delivery of patient tissues on a global basis. Lonza and Cryoport will work to remove the supply chain hurdles faced by developers of personalized therapeutics, including autologous therapies, matched-allogeneic therapies, and personalized cancer vaccines, as they prepare for the commercial launch of their respective therapies.
 
Lonza’s network of cell and gene therapy facilities spans the U.S., Europe and Asia and serves both clinical and commercial customers globally. Integrating Cryoport’s logistics and bioservices solutions with Lonza’s manufacturing services aims to ensure a seamless supply chain and drive efficiencies in delivering medicines to patients.
 
The goal of the partnership is to provide fully integrated solutions including, co-location of manufacturing, bioservices and distribution facilities to improve responsiveness and optimized product workflow, automated data management providing integrated data entry, and process optimization that reduces risk, increases transparency and improves certainty.
 
The alliance will leverage Cryoport’s logistics systems and delivery solutions including: Cryoport Express Shippers, Cryoport’s Cryoportal Logistics Management Platform and SmartPak II Condition Monitoring System, offering an integrated IT solution that provides risk mitigation, and Cryoport’s Chain of Compliance for regulatory solutions. 
 
Alberto Santagostino, senior vice president, head of Cell & Gene Technologies, Lonza Pharma & Biotech, said, “The Lonza-Cryoport collaboration is an enabling part of a wider goal for Lonza to create a network of strategic partnerships and capabilities that enable seamless vein-to-vein delivery of cell and gene therapies for its customers and their patients.  There is no doubt that this partnership enables us to provide a best-in-class solution to cell and gene therapy companies for manufacturing and supply chain services, allowing us to provide a fully integrated solution that reduces risk and increases transparency.”
 
Jerrell Shelton, chief executive officer of Cryoport, said, “Clinical trial activity in the cell and gene therapy sector is rapidly growing as biopharmaceutical companies discover new ways to harness regenerative therapies and combat illnesses. As more and more of these therapies approach commercialization, there is strengthening demand for reliable, integrated outsourced manufacturing and distribution solutions.  Our partnership agreement with Lonza, an internationally-renowned supplier to the pharma and biotech markets, will improve effectiveness, efficiency and safety throughout the cell and gene therapy manufacturing process by integrating our temperature-controlled supply chain solutions with Lonza’s manufacturing services.”