Most life science organizations depend on efficient and uninterrupted supply chains. Manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, biologics, supplements, and devices rely on third-party relationships for component parts, active pharmaceutical ingredients, warehousing, and distribution services. Perhaps your organization depends solely on the manufacturing of your products by a third-party vendor. Research and Development operations rely on third-party relationships to provide crucial supplies such as specialized equipment, cell cultures, and genetically modified organisms.

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked Ioanis González-Rodríguez, better known as E, a Life Sciences Associate here at BLS, if he would share his experiences about his Hispanic background and what this month means to him.

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked Angelica “Angie” Rodriguez, Berkley Life Sciences’ Life Science Specialist, if she would share her experiences about her Hispanic culture, traditions, role models, diversity, and what this month means to her. She proudly accepted.

The life science industry is not immune to the risk posed by combustible dust. Many pharmaceutical production processes, such as batching, compression, dispensing, granulating, and mixing, create dust hazards. Common airborne combustible dust particles which are a by-product of these operations, and may present an explosion risk if not controlled, include calcium, lactose, lithium, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, and sodium.

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that may be toxic to human health. PFAS accumulate in the environment, such as in waterways, in the fish that swim in those waterways, and in public drinking water systems. Blood serum tests of male and female subjects between the ages of 12 and 80 found PFAS in 98% of those tested. Links have been established between human exposure to PFAS and adverse effects on the immune, endocrine, metabolic, and reproductive systems (including fertility and pregnancy outcomes) and an increased risk for cancer.

Life Science organizations often maintain or work with perishable property critical to the company’s ongoing operations. Perishable property refers to a business’s personal property that is susceptible to spoilage, rapid decay, or deterioration, often due to an unwanted change in environmental conditions. Examples of perishable property used by life science companies include:

Due to the pandemic, many ongoing clinical trials have faced disruptions due to restrictions on participant travel. As a result, researchers and sponsors quickly adapted their trial protocols to incorporate remote and decentralized approaches. This led to increased adoption of DCTs across a wide range of therapeutic areas. This article discusses the development of decentralized clinical trials and how companies can benefit from their increased prevalence.