Avantor supports fast-tracking of clinical trials related to COVID-19 disease progression with direct-to-patient custom kitting solution

Background
As companies fast-track clinical trials of vaccines to treat COVID-19, there are many logistical challenges they must overcome due to the various travel restrictions that have been imposed on a global basis. Being able to overcome travel restrictions and secure samples from patients is critical to ensuring clinical trials can move ahead. Direct-to-patient distribution and collection can help overcome these challenges to help ensure clinical trials continue.  

Challenge

Our customer faced many logistical challenges with this clinical study because of the need to ship sample collection kits directly to patients. With over 2,000 patients in the study, the kits would need to be custom manufactured and distributed directly to patients while maintaining the ability to track and trace samples throughout the process.

The customer approached Avantor’s kitting experts to help them develop a solution so they could move their clinical trial forward fast – in less than 4 weeks.

Action/Solution

Working directly with the customer to understand their trial protocols, kitting requirements and distribution needs, we were able to develop a complete solution to meet their clinical trial requirements.

Specifically, we:

• Identified the correct components and packaging best suited for the various visit-specific custom kits to support direct-to-patient shipments
• Established workflows to manufacture the kits with the right components and labels, and proper inventory levels to support the clinical trial needs over its lifetime
• Created an inventory management and logistic support process leveraging our PASSPORT™ online ordering system to support patient supply and distributions activities

Results

Through strong collaboration with our customer, and among our associates, as well as our deep expertise in clinical trial sample collection and logistics, we developed the workflows and began the preparation for shipment of supplies to patients in less than two weeks. Our expertise in managing kit production and utilizing the PASSPORT online ordering system are helping to ensure we provide the appropriate level of supply chain support to facilitate a successful study outcome.