Sofrigam offers solutions to Covid-19 vaccines cold chain transport challenges

news-releasesSofrigam S.A
December 16th 2020

Rueil Malmaison, France: – Temperature-controlled logistics and pharmaceutical cold chain packaging specialist Sofrigam S.A. is ready to provide cold chain and cool chain logistics solutions to meet the ultra-low temperature challenges of NextGen vaccines to combat COVID-19.

The latest messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines need to be stored at ultra-low temperature  to preserve the fragile RNA fragments that target the ‘spikes’ of the SARS COV-2 variant 19 coronavirus.

  • The Pfizer/BioNTech requires long term storage at -70 degrees Celsius and can only be removed from ULT up to four times without risk of losing efficacy. It can be kept at standard refrigerator temperatures at 2-8oC immediately prior to administration.
  • The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is slightly less demanding, requiring storage at standard freezer temperature (-20oC) at expected to stay stable, the temperature of a standard refrigerator, for up to six months and in refrigeration for up to seven days.
  • The AstraZeneca/Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine candidate, AZD1222, is said to require only cool chain storage and distribution, capable of being stored and transported at 2-8oC refrigerated temperatures for a minimum of six months

Cost-effective ULT transport

Pfizer is developing a special transport ‘suitcase’ for its vaccine that can keep up to 5,000 doses of the vaccine under ULT cold chain in dry ice for up to ten days, expected to retail at around $6,675 per unit.

However, French-based cold  chain specialists Sofrigam can offer far more cost-effective solutions in the shape of its reusable Elite® Cubic and Initial® Freight Forwarding parcel shippers for batch vaccine shipments. These cartons are highly insulated using high thermal performance and shock resistant materials and can hold vaccine shipments at temperatures as low as -80°C for up to 168 hours (seven days) using dry ice packing.

Larger shipments can be carried in Sofrigam Initial® Pallet Shippers, which can maintain cold chain temperatures of -80°C to -20°C for up to 120 hours (five days). which is more than enough for most airfreight applications.

Sofrigam also provides a wide range of insulated bags and pouches for ‘last mile’ cool chain distribution and delivery of refrigerated vaccines.

Safe and stable solutions

“Whatever the storage temperature of the future COVID-19 vaccines, our temperature controlled packaging solutions will enable them to be stored and distributed in stability and safety,” said Sofrigam

“Tested and pre-qualified in thermal testing laboratory according to ISTA and AFNOR standards, Sofrigam packaging solutions are GDP-compliant and recognized as being among the most efficient on the market,” it added.

COVID-19 crisis response

“Your supply chain challenge is our challenge – let’s take it up together,” Sofrigam has told its social media followers.

Earlier, Sofrigam announced it had instituted a determined action program to confront the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis, with a series of group actions enabling it to maintain production and supply of its temperature-controlled packaging, shipping and last-mile logistics solutions. The program included setting up a crisis support team that now meets regularly to monitor latest developments in the CV-19 pandemic and initiate appropriate actions.

About Sofrigam

With more than 40 years of experience, Sofrigam provide a comprehensive portfolio of innovative packaging and related solutions that allow pharmaceutical and other clients to optimize their temperature-controlled logistic supply chains.

From its French roots, Sofrigam has become a global company, operating in the USA, Canada, UK and across Europe, with manufacturing centers in North America and Europe.

Sofrigam is now an international group whose four entities meet the cold chain management needs of the entire pharmaceutical supply chain, from drug production to last-mile logistics.

Sofrigam designs and develops cold chain management solutions (containers, packaging, bags and pouches) for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and chemical manufacturers. Initially a specialist in passive packaging, Sofrigam is now moving towards innovative active technologies with its Coldway Technologies unit. The synergy between the technicality of Sofrigam packaging and the Coldway Inside technology, an autonomous thermal energy production system, represents a major innovation in cold production and storage.

For those involved in ‘last mile’ logistics and urban deliveries in the health and agri-food sectors, Coldway Technologies solution provides a disruptive refrigeration system: self-contained, eco-friendly and adaptable to any type of container or vehicle.

All the solutions proposed by the Sofrigam Group entities are tested, pre-qualified and validated by the Ater Metrology thermal testing laboratory in order to guarantee their quality and performance.

Further information at: www.sofrigam.com

 

Sofrigam offers solutions to Covid-19 vaccines cold chain transport challenges

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Sofrigam offers solutions to Covid-19 vaccines cold chain transport challenges

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