Insulated Metal Panel Ensure Sensitive Products are Safe and Effective

Maintaining precise temperature control is critical for pharmaceuticals like vaccines, insulin, cancer agents, and immunotherapy drugs, where even minor deviations can render medications ineffective or unsafe.

“Cold storage warehousing ensures that medications maintain their efficacy and safety throughout the supply chain. As the demand for temperature-sensitive products grow, the need for reliable cold storage solutions becomes increasingly critical,” says e-commerce fulfillment, storage and distribution provider Cold Chain 3PL.

Insulated metal panels (IMPs) have emerged as a cornerstone of cold chain logistics, offering robust solutions to safeguard temperature-sensitive products.

“Insulated metal panels are considered the ultimate solution for climate-controlled facilities,” says the Metal Construction Association.

This blog explores how IMPs address the unique challenges of pharmaceutical storage, their benefits, and real-world applications.

What are Insulated Metal Panels?

IMPs are a composite building material consisting of an insulating foam core sandwiched between two metal facings, typically made of corrosion-resistant steel.

The panels, such as those made in America by Green Span Profiles, are manufactured using a continuously poured-in-place process, which ensures a strong bond between the foam core and the metal facings.

This process results in an extremely efficient, durable, and versatile building material suitable for various applications, including walls, roofs, and ceilings.

Designed for speed and efficiency, IMPs integrate insulation, vapor barriers, and structural support into a single system. Their modular design allows for rapid installation, reducing construction timelines for cold storage facilities.

Why Pharmaceuticals Require Cold Storage

Pharmaceuticals often require cold storage to maintain their efficacy, safety, and quality. Temperature-sensitive medications and biologics can degrade, lose potency, or even develop harmful effects if not stored properly. 

“Active Pharmaceuticals Ingredients (APIs) are the backbone of pharmaceutical formulations, serving as the primary component responsible for the therapeutic effects of medications,” says biopharma company Single Use Support. “However, many APIs are sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature, light, and humidity, which can compromise their stability and efficacy over time. To maintain the integrity of these vital compounds, cold storage is imperative in cases of temperature sensitivity.”

Here’s why cold storage is crucial for many pharmaceuticals:

•  Preserving Molecular Structure and Stability: Many pharmaceutical compounds, especially biologics and proteins, have complex molecular structures that are sensitive to temperature changes. Cold storage helps maintain these structures by:
  o  Slowing down chemical reactions that can lead to degradation
  o  Preventing denaturation of proteins
  o  Preserving the activity of enzymes and other bioactive molecules
  
•  Preventing Microbial Growth: Cold temperatures inhibit the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms that could contaminate pharmaceuticals. This is particularly important for:
  o  Liquid formulations
  o  Multi-dose vials
  o  Reconstituted antibiotics

“Many pharmaceuticals are sensitive to temperature excursions and must be shipped at a refrigerated temperature of 36°F to 46°F. High temperatures can accelerate oxidation and hydrolysis and degrade certain medications, impacting potency and potentially forming toxic byproducts,” says cold chain logistics company Pelton Shepherd.

•  Extending Shelf Life: Proper cold storage significantly extends the shelf life of many pharmaceuticals. This is critical for:
  o  Inventory management in pharmacies and hospitals
  o  Ensuring medication availability in remote areas
  o  Reducing waste and associated costs
•  Ensuring Regulatory Compliance: Pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers must adhere to strict regulatory guidelines for drug storage. Failure to maintain proper cold chain conditions can result in:
  o  Regulatory violations
  o  Costly product recalls
  o  Potential harm to patients

Pharmaceuticals that Typically Require Cold Storage

The list of pharmaceuticals that typically require cold storage ranges from vaccines to chemotherapy drugs. Here’s a closer look at temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals that require precise storage conditions to preserve their therapeutic effectiveness:

•  Vaccines: Vaccines, like mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Examples:
  o  COVID-19 vaccines (e.g., Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, some of which require ultra-cold storage at –70°C and –20°C, respectively)
  o  Influenza vaccines
  o  Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccines
  o  Hepatitis B vaccines
  
•  Biologics: Biologics are complex products derived from living organisms, such as proteins, enzymes, and monoclonal antibodies, and require cold storage to prevent degradation. Examples:
  o  Insulin
  o  Growth hormones (e.g., somatropin)
  o  Monoclonal antibody therapies (e.g., adalimumab for rheumatoid arthritis, trastuzumab for breast cancer)
  
•  Chemotherapy Drugs: Many chemotherapy agents and immunotherapy drugs for cancer are temperature-sensitive, Examples:
  o  Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)
  o  Rituximab
  o  Bevacizumab (Avastin)
  o  Chloorambucil (Leukeran)
  o  Etoposide
  
•  Antivirals and Antibiotics: Some antivirals and liquid antibiotics need refrigeration to prevent spoilage and maintain effectiveness. Examples:
  o  Amoxicillin (liquid suspension)
  o  Erythromycin suspension
  o  Norvir
  o  Kaletra
  
•  Hormone Therapies: Hormonal therapies often require refrigeration. Examples:
  o  Fertility drugs (e.g., Follistim, Gonal-F)
  o  Thyroid hormone suspension
  o  Estradiol patches
•  Blood-Derived Products: Blood products require refrigeration to preserve their integrity. Examples:
  o  Plasma
  o  Platelets
  o  Blood clotting factors (e.g., Factor VIII for hemophilia)
•  Gene and Cell Therapies: These advanced therapies require extremely cold storage, often at –80°C or lower, to maintain the viability of cells and genetic material. Examples:
  o  CAR-T cell therapies (e.g., tisagenlecleucel for leukemia)
  o  Stem cell therapies
•  Eye Drops and Ophthalmic Solutions: Certain eye drops require cold storage to ensure their stability. Examples:
  o  Latanoprost (for glaucoma)
  o  Cyclosporine eye drops (for dry eye syndrome) 
•  Diagnostic Kits and Reagents: Diagnostic kits, used in labs and clinics, often need cold storage for accuracy. Examples:
  o  COVID-19 testing kits
  o  PCR kits
  o  ELISA test reagents
•  Enzymes: Enzymes used in diagnostics or as therapeutic agents require controlled storage conditions. Examples:
  o  Pancreatic enzyme supplements (e.g., Creon)
  o  Digestive enzymes
•  Probiotics: Certain probiotics require refrigeration to maintain live bacterial cultures. Examples:
  o  Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium supplements
  o  Yogurt-based medical probiotics
•  Specialty Drugs: These include therapies for rare or chronic conditions. Examples:
  o  Erythropoietin (for anemia)
  o  Calcitonin (for osteoporosis)

End Users that Benefit from Cold Storage

Cold storage is non-negotiable for temperature-sensitive drug classes and the end users that benefit from proper temperature control include:

•  Patients: Ensures medication safety and efficacy
•  Healthcare Providers: Reduces liability from spoiled inventory for hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies
•  Pharmaceutical Companies: Protects R&D investments and brand reputation

“Achieving the delicate equilibrium between efficiency and safety is a balancing act in the storage of biologics. While optimizing storage processes for efficiency is essential to meet production demands and minimize costs, it must not compromise the safety and integrity of biologic products,” says Single Use Support.

Benefits of IMPs for Pharmaceutical Cold Storage

IMPs can help achieve the delicate equilibrium needed for pharmaceutical cold storage because they are able to maintain strict temperature control and hygiene standards while maximizing energy efficiency.

Here are the benefits of IMPs for pharmaceutical cold storage:

•  Superior Thermal Performance: IMPs provide industry-leading R-values, minimizing heat transfer and stabilizing internal temperatures. This reduces energy consumption by up to 25 percent compared to traditional construction, critical for facilities operating around the clock.
•  Moisture and Contamination Resistance: The non-porous metal surfaces resist mold, bacteria, and corrosion, meeting USDA and FDA hygienic standards for sterile environments. Joints are sealed with hidden gaskets to prevent moisture infiltration, a common cause of spoilage.
•  Rapid Installation: Prefabricated IMPs cut construction time by 50 percent, enabling faster facility commissioning.For instance, a 100,000 sq.ft. warehouse can be enclosed in weeks rather than months.
•  Structural Durability: IMPs withstand extreme temperatures, heavy equipment loads, and frequent sanitization without warping or degradation. Fire-resistant cores enhance safety in high-risk areas.
•  Customization: Available in variable thicknesses, IMPs accommodate diverse thermal needs. Smooth or textured finishes support branding, while antimicrobial coatings are ideal for cleanrooms.

These attributes make IMPs a material of choice for:

•  Pharmaceutical Manufacturers: Ensure product integrity from production to distribution.
•  Logistics Providers: Maintain compliance during transit with IMP-built refrigerated warehouses.
•  Hospitals and Pharmacies: Guarantee medication safety for patients.
•  Biotech Firms: Protect high-value biologics and clinical trial materials.

Partner with Green Span Profiles for Reliable Cold Storage Solutions

Green Span Profiles specializes in American-made IMPs tailored to pharmaceutical needs.

Our panels combine unmatched thermal efficiency, durability, and compliance with FDA/USDA standards.

Why choose us?

•  Custom Designs: Panels are engineered for your facility’s exact temperature and spatial requirements.
•  Quick Turnaround: Prefabricated IMPs reduce project timelines by up to 50 percent and our on-time delivery rate sets industry standards.
•  Customer Support: Expert guidance from design to installation.

Ensure your pharmaceuticals remain potent and safe — contact Green Span Profiles today to schedule a consultation and explore how our IMPs can optimize your cold storage infrastructure.