Manufacturing And Supply Chain Risk Mitigation Strategies Amidst COVID-19

Over the years we have witnessed how natural disasters can have a significant impact on biopharmaceutical industry supply chains. For example, in 2010 a volcanic ash cloud from an eruption in Iceland caused the largest air-traffic shutdown since WWII. The earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in 2011 caused that country a nationwide drug shortage. Then there was the devastation wrought when Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in 2017, home to 80 life science industry manufacturers. These are just three examples of significant natural disasters that have negatively impacted life science industry manufacturing and supply chains over the past decade. Factor in a few “man-made” events (e.g., tariffs, trade wars, and wars), and you can see how truly fragile supply chains can be. Then there’s this year, and next, where we have all the usual stuff that can make getting lifesaving and life-sustaining therapeutics to patients a challenge, but on top of those, we also have the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, Rob Wright, chief editor of Life Science Leader, sat down with three biopharmaceutical industry executives to discuss some of the thinking and actions taken to mitigate risk to their companies’ manufacturing and supply chains amidst a pandemic. Appearing in this executive virtual roundtable video are:

• Eric Francois, CFO, SCYNEXIS
• Maia Hansen, SVP and Head of Operations and Supply Chain, Athersys
• Mark Litton, Ph.D., COO, Athira Pharma