Big Ideas in Supply Chain

Planning patient-focused value chains in cell and gene therapy

Episode Summary

Allen and Hussain define the sub-verticals within cell and gene therapy and discuss the supply chain execution and planning challenges for the new and booming autologous sub-vertical, also known as CAR-T. Hussain shares lessons learned on developing a value chain based on a single patient, rather than a product.

Episode Notes

• Cell-based gene therapy
• Biomedical research and treatment
• Autologous- when patient’s own cells are modified outside the body and reintroduced to the patient
• Allogenic- cells isolated from a healthy donor. 
• Cell therapy aims to treat diseases by restoring or altering certain sets of cells or by using cells to carry a therapy through the body. With cell therapy, cells are cultivated or modified outside the body before being injected into the patient. The cells may originate from the patient (autologous cells) or a donor (allogeneic cells).
• Gene therapy aims to treat diseases by replacing, inactivating or introducing genes into cells— either inside the body (in vivo) or outside of the body (ex vivo).
• Some therapies are considered both cell and gene therapies. These therapies work by altering genes in specific types of cells and inserting them into the body.