Cold chain companies collaborate on ultra-low-temperature transport boxes
Secop and B Medical Systems are collaborating on a new generation of transport boxes that safely store and transport vaccines, biospecimens, and other temperature-sensitive specimens at ultra-low temperatures.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought a rise in the adoption of mRNA technology and the development of several extremely temperature-sensitive vaccines. This technology, combined with the growing prominence of Cell & Gene Therapy (CGT), and other medical developments have resulted in an ever-increasing demand for reliable ultra-low temperature medical cold chain solutions, the companies maintained.
Through their cooperation, Secop and B Medical Systems will work to develop a reliable medical transport unit that contains a cascade compressor system and is specifically manufactured to hold the ultra-low temperature range required for mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines, even in tropical settings where the heat index rises as high as 109 degrees F.
“Bringing together the Secop and B Medical skillsets and technologies will ensure the successful development of a truly breakthrough product. This product will be an important asset in the current sustainable cold chain evolution and will contribute to improving storage and delivery of vaccines worldwide,” says Jan Ehlers, CEO at Secop GmbH.
The companies say they will apply Secop’s decades of experience in efficient mobile cooling compressors with B Medical Systems’ expertise in developing innovative and reliable medical cold chain solutions. They plan to conduct a series of development and testing exercises to help them achieve these objectives.
According to Ehlers, Secop’s engineering team has conducted intensive development and testing activities to prove and optimize an innovative medical cooling unit. This product will be powered by a cascade system of battery-driven compressors, with the ability to achieve and maintain ultra-low temperatures down to minus 122.8 F, regardless of the outdoor temperature.
“This joint development agreement is a significant step in our journey toward providing this next generation of ultra-low medical cold chain equipment,” said Luc Provost, CEO of B Medical Systems. “I am confident that we will soon be able to provide the market with a convenient and reliable solution for the safe storage and transport of small volumes of vaccine, pharmaceuticals, and samples at ultra-low temperatures.”
