Boosting the efficiency of compound management For ... - IQPC.com

Boosting the efficiency of compound management
For businesses in a number of sectors, the recent global economic downturn
become a key reason for them to refocus their efforts on making operations more
efficient. The recessionary conditions seen worldwide led many firms to consider
how they could reduce their budgets by streamlining operations, while companies
were also able to form a link between such savings and the adoption of a greener
approach.
Such issues were not lost on the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the
realm of compound management. The area is one that has always had a reliance
on technological advancements to increase the efficiency of both its services and
environmental credentials.
BioStorage Technologies recently highlighted how both concepts are particularly
high on the agenda in the sample and compound management world at present.
The company, which is headquartered in Indianapolis and provides storage
services for sample management, biomaterials and cold chain logistics, opened a
new full-service repository in Germany at the end of last year.
Based in Frankfurt, the 18,000 sq ft site has been granted green certification
from sustainable energy supplier ENTEGA Vertrieb GmbH & Co, as it is currently
powered through the use of 100 per cent renewable energy.
It is thought that the decision to make use of such services will prevent the
production of almost 190 tonnes of carbon emissions in the first year, while the
future expansion plans are likely to increase the savings. In addition, BioStorage
is also boosting its green credentials further by using low volatile organic
compound cleaning agents and fair trade products where possible.
Dr Wolfgang Hoffer, managing director of the company's European operations,
said: "Using renewable energy is only one of the green initiatives underway at our
facilities. Additional aspects of the initiative include environmentally-conscious
management of waste disposal, logistics, water consumption and paper use."
While the work at the Frankfurt facility has highlighted the company's efforts to
go green, BioStorage has also revealed plans to offer more cost-effective
compound management solutions to clients, most notably the new Overland
Sample Inventory Relocation and Intelligent Shipping service.
Known as Osiris, the new mobile biorepository has been created for sample
transition, relocation and emergency response services and is based in a 52-ft
multi-temperature trailer that can transport biomaterials including plasma, blood
and tissue samples.
Jeff Clark, global head of logistics and facilities at the firm, said the transport
facility is "truly the first of its kind". "Osiris utilises today's most innovative
tracking, storing and temperature control technology to essentially transform a
semi-trailer into a fully compliant biorepository on wheels," he outlined.
"Whether our customers are distributing manufactured products, transferring
clinical trial materials or consolidating samples from multiple research facilities,
OSIRIS allows our specialised team of logistics experts to provide door-to-door,
full-scale support during the entire drug development process."

BioStorage collaborated with Pace Air Freight, Thermo King and Great Dane
Trailers during the design process for the new technology.
Chad Howard, sales representative of Great Dane Trailers Indianapolis, said:
"Working with BioStorage Technologies on this project proved to be a rewarding
challenge, utilising a total team effort that resulted in the tremendous success of
the design and manufacture of this one-of-a-kind trailer."
Following on from the company's environmental efforts in Frankfurt, Osiris is set
to be towed by a 2010 Volvo VN6T tractor that will be outfitted with fuel efficient
and green emission technology. The set-up will allow the mobile biorepository,
which is thought to have cost around $575,000 (£370,869) to create, to travel
around 2,000 miles without refuelling.
News of both the new mobile system and the green energy plan for the Frankfurt
facility highlights how BioStorage Technologies is demonstrating the current
concerns of businesses involved in sample and compound management. Boosting
the environmental and operational efficiency of pharmaceutical work has become
a major issue in recent years, particularly as such efforts can improve a firm's
standing in the eyes of both rival companies and – more importantly – clients.
Such concepts are likely to remain important to compound management
businesses for some time, meaning they could benefit dramatically from
considering how the right tools and processes could put them on the right track to
an efficient and successful future.