How to manage CV-19 material risks: Novo Nordisk Pharmatech shares insights

Koege, Denmark: – World-leading insulin specialist Novo Nordisk Pharmatech A/S has managed to overcome considerable supply chain challenges caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic and is now offering advice to partners on how to mitigate material risks.

Novo Nordisk Pharmatech points out that the COVID-19 crisis has reinforced the importance of having a strong supply chain and a risk-management and business continuity plan.

Risk mitigation strategy  

In a recent article (see Resources) published in the BioProcess International journal ‘Industry Innovators Issue’, Novo Nordisk Pharmatech outlines the components and steps required for a complete capabilities review and raw materials risk mitigation strategy.

“To understand risks related to supply, demand, material supplier capacities, and so on, you need information that can come only from communicating with your supplier about the stability of supply, production capacity, and transportation and distribution chain,” the company tells its social media followers.

Essential responses

The article, authored by Novo Nordisk Pharmatech global product manager Chantale Julien, acknowledges that the company experienced significantly increased freight fees and limited availability of transportation for both its human insulin and quaternary ammonium compounds (“quats”) active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) during the early stages of the coronavirus crisis.

“Despite that, and thanks to close cooperation with our customers, we are delivering our products as promised and without disrupting planned manufacturing processes,” she writes.

Ms. Julien identifies transparent communication with partners, contingency planning and partnership building as essential responses, along with an effective quality management system to minimize Raw Material Variability.

About Novo Nordisk Pharmatech A/S

Novo Nordisk Pharmatech A/S was established in 1949, acquired by Novo Nordisk in 1986 and has been part of the pharmaceutical group since then. Novo Nordisk Pharmatech A/S is the leading worldwide supplier of recombinant insulin for cell growth media and pharmaceutical grade quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) for the pharma and biopharmaceutical industries.

Resources

Click on Mitigating Raw-Material Risks During a Pandemic to read original BPI Industry Innovators article.