Marken, the clinical supply subsidiary of UPS, recently launched a custom-designed thermal box, which it touted as “the first truly configurable container capable of utilizing any GPS tracking device available today.”
Marken’s Smart Box offers constant visibility of the cargo, providing information about location, temperature, movement, shock, pressure, and light. The container uses the company’s Sentry tracking device, while also accommodating Bluetooth technology for temperature monitoring and identification.
The container has been designed to maintain a stable temperature range of 2-8°C for up to 96 hours, though Marken aims to offer -20°C and 15-25°C services in the near future.
“Cell and gene therapies are, by nature, very complex and require a narrow window for delivery,” the spokesperson told us, stating that the shipments are irreplaceable, and therefore, need to remain secure.
According to the company, users will also have the choice to add a lock or security seal to each shipment.
As stated by Marken’s CEO, Wes Wheeler, at least 1,000 Smart Box containers are scheduled for delivery to various locations starting this month.
At the same time, the company plans to increase the number of Sentry GPS tracking devices within its inventory and has placed additional orders for thermal packaging to supplement the Smart Box.
According to the company, Marken manages 55,000 drug and biological shipments every month at all temperature ranges, in more than 150 countries.
An estimation about the company’s investment in the development of the Smart Box could not be disclosed.
