Cryoport Teams up with Takeda's BioLife Plasma Services

Cryoport, Inc., a temperature-controlled supply chain solution provider for the life sciences industry, has entered into a strategic relationship with BioLife Plasma Services, part of the global biopharma company Takeda, and a business who offers cellular starting material for use in the manufacture of life-saving cell therapies.

Using BioLife Plasma Services' proficiency in apheresis collection and their donation center infrastructure, combined with Cryoport's life sciences capabilities and knowledge in temperature-controlled supply chain solutions, the companies aim to establish a standardized, integrated apheresis collection, processing, and distribution solution for cell therapies. Importantly, the new platform will leverage the cryo-processing expertise of Cell Matters, a cryobiology and cell therapy production company that Cryoport acquired this past July.

The parties expect the new partnership to facilitate compliance with applicable good manufacturing practice (GMP) regulations, while also intending to shorten processing and logistics time and standardize collections, contracting, and equipment. As a result, this will enable researchers and developers to accelerate cell therapy programs.

"This strategic relationship with BioLife Plasma Services is a prime example of how our world-class expertise in providing supply chain solutions to the life sciences industry and our expansion into new geographies and services offerings, such as bioservices and cryo-processing, creates exciting new opportunities," says Jerrell Shelton, CEO of Cryoport. “Our goal is to streamline the complex processes necessary to treat an increasing number of patients with today's most advanced cell therapies, while ensuring the highest quality and safety standards."