Therapy developers and researchers in the field of modern medicine do their utmost every day to improve and accelerate the journey of their products from the lab to the patient. The supporting transportation, logistics and warehousing specialists tasked with preserving and delivering those products are working just as hard alongside them to improve their own products and services—and keep pace with a rapidly evolving modality. Enabling this next phase will require a new, advanced way of collaborating, as well as new advances in cryopreservation technologies and capabilities. With players in both industries agreeing to a kind of symbiotic relationship, Deputy Editor Rob Coker speaks to a panel of experts to discuss the trends, challenges, benefits and future of advanced therapies in an age where cryopreservation is becoming more common.
Stella Vnook is CEO of Likarda, a biotech company developing technologies to improve the delivery, efficacy and sustainability of cell therapies. After helping to develop and commercialize a method to coat cells with inert hydrogels to maintain cell viability, Vnook earned a spot on our 2024 Power List.
Priya Baraniak is co-founder and Chief Business Officer of OrganaBio, a technology development and manufacturing contract organization that enables the development and commercialization of cell therapies. Baraniak’s expertise in biomedical engineering has resulted in a comprehensive understanding of the cell therapy supply chain, various laboratory techniques, QA/QC measures, regulatory submissions, and technology transfer.
Trevor Smith is Senior Marketing Manager for Cell and Gene Therapy at Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies. With his expertise in T cell expansion on automated bioreactor systems, he has developed a deep understanding of scaling through process development, GMP laboratory design, training and optimized cell collections.
