Planning for Your Cold Chain Shipment: The Forgotten Science of Clinical Research and Development

by Dan Catizone
Volume 5, Issue 4 (Winter 2006)

Many precautions are taken in a typical research lab to ensure the integrity of biological specimens. Temperature, storage, and personnel access, among others, are all tightly controlled, and codified into standard operating procedures (SOPs), if not almost biblical law. And no wonder — companies have millions invested in biotech solutions whose progress is often measured in years and decades. Scientists have their life’s work on the line. So, it is with some surprise that the diligence most companies exercise during the research and development process is not always maintained during specimen transport. Every time a specimen leaves the lab, be it for further analytical testing or investigational purposes, it runs a heightened risk of contamination, especially from fluctuating temperatures. Ensuring that this does not happen should be the responsibility and concern of everyone with a stake in a biological product’s success…

Citation:
Catizone D. Planning for Your Cold Chain Shipment: The Forgotten Science of Clinical Research and Development. BioProcess J, 2006; 5(4): 50-52. https://doi.org/10.12665/J54.Catizone