BOTHELL, Wash., Dec. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BioLife Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLFS), a leading supplier of class-defining bioproduction tools and services for the cell and gene therapies ("CGT") and broader biopharma markets, today announced a partnership with UNICEF to extend thermal stability of temperature-sensitive COVID-19 vaccines in developing communities in Africa, the Middle East and South America where limited power infrastructure and extreme environmental conditions make it difficult for most ULT freezers to remain operational. As part of this program, UNICEF has approved Stirling's upright SU780XLE freezers and first-of-its-kind, portable UL25NEU freezer models for country specific selection.
Remote communities where electric utilities infrastructures are underdeveloped will continue to struggle to effectively store vaccines. The stringent temperature requirements of leading COVID-19 vaccines further constrain the ability for distribution and healthcare workers struggle to safely store vaccines. Stirling Ultracold freezers operate between -20°C to -86°C while withstanding very warm ambient conditions and without the need for HVAC access. The freezers are also shippable via air freight, shortening the time it takes to deliver the freezers to these isolated locations. Stirling portable freezers operate on flexible power including typical land supplies and optional DC power and can move easily from one location to the next, making them optimal to support vaccine distribution and storage in remote and developing geographies where COVID-19 continues to spread.
Mike Rice, BioLife's Chairman and CEO commented, "We are committed to doing all we can to improve distribution and storage of temperature-sensitive vaccines and other medicines in underdeveloped countries. UNICEF's unparalleled access to hard-to-reach communities around the world makes them an ideal partner to accomplish this goal."
About BioLife Solutions
BioLife Solutions is a leading supplier of class-defining bioproduction tools and services for the cell and gene therapy and broader biopharma markets. Our tools portfolio includes our proprietary CryoStor® and HypoThermosol® biopreservation media for shipping and storage, the ThawSTAR® family of automated, water-free thawing products, evo® cold chain management system, high capacity cryogenic storage freezers, Stirling Ultracold mechanical freezers, SciSafe biologic storage services, and Sexton Biotechnologies cell processing tools. For more information, please visit www.biolifesolutions.com, www.scisafe.com, www.stirlingultracold.com, or www.sextonbio.com and follow BioLife on Twitter.
About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.
Media & Investor Relations
At the Company
Troy Wichterman
Chief Financial Officer
(425) 402-1400
twichterman@biolifesolutions.com
Investors
LHA Investor Relations
Jody Cain
(310) 691-7100
jcain@lhai.com
SOURCE BioLife Solutions, Inc.
We believe the promise of cell and gene therapies starts with the integrity of a single cell
Advancing the future of cell and gene therapy
The human body can heal itself. Cell and gene therapies are designed to augment the patient’s ability to fight disease but only if the living cells behind those therapies remain viable and functional throughout the production processes. At BioLife Solutions, our mission is to protect the integrity of cells and provide trusted tools, services, and expertise that can enable our customers to advance the development and delivery of cell and gene therapies. We believe the future of cell and gene therapies hinges on the integrity of every single cell and we are here to protect that promise.
We understand the technical demands of bioprocessing in this field, and our advanced biopreservation expertise, cell culture optimization products, innovative storage systems, and closed-system manufacturing solutions are designed to enhance process efficiency, maintain cellular viability, and ensure reproducibility at every stage. Whether scaling up from R&D, navigating clinical trials or optimizing cryopreservation protocols for commercial production, we provide the tools and experience to streamline your workflow and safeguard your therapies.
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Our biopreservation media and storage solutions are engineered to maintain cell integrity and functionality. With GMP-compatible, validated formulations, we help you reduce variability and improve post-thaw recovery, ensuring robust and reproducible outcomes.
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With deep industry experience, regulatory support, and a commitment to innovation, BioLife Solutions is dedicated to supporting bioprocess engineers in overcoming complex manufacturing challenges. Whether optimizing cryopreservation protocols or ensuring the seamless transition from lab to clinic, we are dedicated to your success.
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Enhance efficiency and consistency in your cell processing workflow with our closed-system tools for fluid management and cell processing that are automation ready. Reduce manual handling errors, improve throughput, and achieve higher standards of quality and compliance as you scale towards commercialization.
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BioLife Solutions delivers specialized tools and expertise to help bioprocess engineers streamline and strengthen biopreservation processes across the cell therapy workflow. From selecting the right biopreservation media to minimizing cell loss during freezing, storage, and transports, our solutions are designed to improve consistency, reduce risk, and support a successful transition from development to clinical application.
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At BioLife Solutions, we partner with leading contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) to enhance their biopreservation and cell processing capabilities. By providing advanced tools, regulatory support, and process optimization strategies, we empower CDMOs to better serve therapy developers, ensuring quality, consistency, and scalability in cell therapy manufacturing.
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Navigating the complex regulatory landscape of cell and gene therapy requires a proactive approach. BioLife Solutions offers experienced regulatory support to help prepare your biopreservation and cell processing methods to meet global standards. From IND and BLA submissions to compliance with GMP, FDA, and EMA guidelines, our solutions help streamline approval pathways.
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Stay ahead with our comprehensive Evidence Library, a curated collection of scientific publications, white papers, and case studies demonstrating the efficacy of BioLife Solutions’ technologies. Access peer-reviewed research, real-world application data, and expert insights to support your bioprocessing and regulatory strategies.
