Objective

BioLife Solutions wanted to develop a cloud-based app for managing cold chain shipments of high-value, time- and temperature-sensitive biologics and pharmaceuticals. The solution needed to knit together GPS- and cellular-enabled shipping containers, AWS cloud-based infrastructure, Google Maps, and a postal system interface.

Challenges

The shipping container’s existing cloud-based radio app wasn’t extensible to the other components of the solution, so a new app needed to be created to ride on top of existing data streams. Many of the existing technologies were unstable; APIs would change without notification, causing spontaneous breaks. Many diverse systems had to be integrated to create the ultimate end-to-end platform.

Solution

BioLife had the vision but turned to Base2 for its product development expertise in regulated environments to pull together the system’s disparate pieces. The result was a user-friendly SaaS cold chain application that integrates with smart shipping containers, generates excursion alerts and delivery notifications, and provides real-time tracking, all through an elegant graphical user interface. It also includes a patent-pending shelf-life timer solution for supply chains handling time-sensitive shipments. 

Outcome

BioLife and its partner Savsu were able to deliver the evo® Cold Chain system in time to match their desired market window. The fully integrated system provides a holistic, real-time live cell visibility platform. Precision medicines made up of live cells now have a much lower risk of in-transit cell damage from environmental conditions because of the app’s real-time monitoring and recording capabilities. Drug developers have higher confidence levels in cell viability, and better compliance with emerging reimbursement models that are based on therapeutic efficacy and patient response.