Flying solo, flying high: now on its own, this biotech up-and-comer spreads its wings and acts as if the sky's the limit

Food & Drug Packaging,  July, 2007  by Lisa McTigue Pierce

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Talecris Biotherapeutics was born in 2005 when it acquired the worldwide plasma business assets of Bayer Biological Products and the contract manufacturing capacity of Precision Pharma Services. With six decades of experience and innovation as its legacy, the fledgling Talecris started to soar immediately. In its first year, it grew revenues 20%. Since then, the company has nearly doubled the number of employees and posted another year of double-digit percentage growth.

While many pharmaceutical manufacturers rely on acquisitions to boost profits and portfolios, Talecris' growth has been organic. It expanded twice in 2006: The company celebrated its one-year anniversary in April 2006 by opening its first global operation in Canada and then, by year's end, set up its European headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. Last November, it ranked twelfth on the "Fast 50" list, which profiles the fastest growing privately-held companies in the biotech hub of Research Triangle Park, N.C.

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Talecris produces plasma-derived protein therapies for people with life-threatening disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas, including immunology, pulmonary and critical care, coagulation and thrombosis. To maintain efficacy of the temperature-sensitive proteins, temperature control throughout distribution and storage is critical--and this is an area where Talecris excels.

Determined to stay the leader in cold chain supply, Talecris is always on the look-out for the most innovative technologies. In February, it took another step ahead. Talecris incorporated degradable insulated shipping containers into its cold chain supply to minimize the environmental impact of its packaging and reduce waste. Made by R.N.C. Industries (www.rncind.com), the Control Temp Blue thermal shipper contains a blend of several natural minerals that are heated and spun into a fiber, which is then encapsulated in a biodegradable plastic.

Aside from the environmental benefits, the new containers also maintain temperature for longer per inch of insulation, and provide better cushioning and shock protection of the glass packages.

Protective packaging goes beyond just the physical need. Like many high-value pharmaceuticals sold worldwide, Talecris products are susceptible to counterfeiting. As a safeguard, the company uses tamper-evident packaging features on its flagship product, Gamunex. The security measures include printing the company logo on the vial label, carton and package insert. Additionally, a clear shrink band covers the neck and lid of the container. And to help with tracking, the bar code on the vial can even be linked to a patient's chart.

Connecting to patients in another way helps keep employees motivated. Last summer, Talecris provided an all-expenses-paid visit for 70 patients, relatives and support group organizers to tour its Clayton, N.C., facility. Based on the positive feedback from the event, Talecris hosted another patient open house in May 2007 and plans to host a patient event at least once a year.

The open house events reflect the company's people-to-people marketing strategy. Letting patients see the manufacturing operations and meet the people who produce their medications gives them a better understanding of the complex production process and improves their view of the company. Because its customers are small groups of patients with rare diseases who often communicate through support groups, Talecris benefits greatly from word-of-mouth recommendations.

Lisa McTigue Pierce, Editor-in-Chief

COPYRIGHT 2007 BNP Media
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning