CordenPharma obtains IT as a service from a GxP-compliant Swiss enterprise cloud
Following the takeover of three production sites from Vifor Pharma, CordenPharma had to give up the existing IT services with their employees for the three sites and restructure the division. Managing everything alone was not an option. When evaluating a suitable managed service partner, CordenPharma opted for ITpoint. How did the whole process go?
What was the experience?
An insight.
To expand its business in the manufacture of pharmaceutical dosage forms such as tablets and capsules, the CordenPharma Group has invested in three locations. Growth through acquisition. The transaction between Vifor Pharma and CordenPharma involved the facilities in Fribourg, Ettingen, and Lisbon. As is well known, the real challenge follows an acquisition: the smooth operational integration of the workforce and their workflows. Supportive information technology is indispensable in this process. And that’s where Sharp DX came into play.
The three new CordenPharma production sites: Fribourg, Ettingen and Lisbon (from top to bottom).
Requirement: rapid transition, high quality and GxP compliance
Outsourcing the infrastructure IT services was essential so that CordenPharma could concentrate on the business integration of the three sites and the associated processes and specialist applications. The plan was for an external service provider to provide the IT for the three sites as a service and largely take over operations. When evaluating an IT service provider, CordenPharma focused on four decision criteria:
1. speed
Prompt provision of infrastructure, software and operation services and rapid transition to orderly operations.
2. adaptability
Where project parameters can change constantly, even after the order has been placed, a high degree of flexibility is required.
3. quality
Proven project staff, a high-quality IT environment with established availability and security mechanisms and an operating concept with a high level of maturity were required.
4. compliance
In the strictly regulated pharmaceutical industry, an IT service provider must be able to demonstrate conformity with the guidelines for "good working practice" (GxP = Good x Practice).
CordenPharma’s requirements were challenging but achievable. Unlike the organizations of the big players, the Sharp DX team has the flexibility and agility to adapt to each client’s unique situation. This was a key factor in CordenPharma’s decision when selecting a service provider.
Solution: Managed IT services from the ORIA Enterprise Cloud
Sharp DX’s “ORIA” managed service concept offers customers a choice of three cloud models: “Private Cloud,” “Hybrid Cloud,” and “Enterprise Cloud.” CordenPharma opted for the latter. The ORIA Enterprise Cloud is a highly available, geo-redundant environment located in two high-security data centers in Switzerland.
Based on a list of requirements developed in collaboration with CordenPharma, the Sharp DX team initially provided the following resources for the approximately 400 employees at the three locations:
- Redundant gigabit Internet access between the CordenPharma sites and the two data centers
- A large number of individually configured virtual servers (VM) for the future operation of all applications (specialist applications, security and system applications)
- Various Microsoft SQL and Oracle database clusters
- Several terabytes of redundant file services for the secure storage of files
- Active Directory Services as the basis for user and access management
- Desktop virtualization for secure, location-independent access for all users from any end device
- Replication and security mechanisms according to high industry standards to optimize availability and security
As is typical with cloud solutions, the virtual private resources defined for CordenPharma can also be quickly and easily modified at any time in the ORIA Enterprise Cloud. Billing is based on actual usage. And, of course, Sharp DX’s cloud model is also open to seamlessly integrating public cloud applications—such as Microsoft 365—into the overall solution.
With Sharp DX’s “ORIA Enterprise Cloud,” CordenPharma is provided with a comprehensive portfolio of virtual private resources offering maximum flexibility in a highly available IT environment.
Transition: challenging but at eye level
Given the need to quickly transition to a new IT landscape within a new corporate group—one with different processes and requiring GxP compliance—it was understandable that the conceptual planning evolved iteratively. But when two small teams without a hierarchical structure collaborate directly on an equal footing, obstacles and hurdles can be overcome more easily. This was also the case in the collaboration between the project teams at CordenPharma and Sharp DX.
In short: Not everything always went according to plan, but the goals were consistently achieved. Despite a few minor hiccups, the first IT services went live on the ORIA Enterprise Cloud six months after the project began. And most importantly: IT users were never distracted from their work.
“I really enjoy working with Sharp DX. The collaboration is based on partnership, is solution-oriented, and involves close, direct communication. It’s not a traditional customer-supplier relationship. The productive phase got off to a smooth start. Everything is running smoothly. There are direct points of contact who address any issues that arise immediately.”
CordenPharma International GmbH
Operation: clear responsibilities and direct communication
Even during the transition phase, CordenPharma and Sharp DX defined which party would assume responsibility for which IT components. While a small team at CordenPharma remains responsible for the line-of-business applications, the local network, end devices, and end-user support, Sharp DX operates all other elements from the ORIA Enterprise Cloud. Sharp DX uses what are known as “Service Operation Packages.” Under this model, Sharp DX assumes full operational responsibility for the services to which the packages apply. This includes the service desk, second-level support for troubleshooting, and operational services—such as monitoring and reporting—along with a comprehensive service management and governance model.
The team at CordenPharma is not dealing with an anonymous entity when it comes to operational collaboration. Quite the contrary. Everyone at Sharp DX who holds operational responsibility is accessible, known by name, part of the Sharp DX team, and always ready to communicate directly with CordenPharma representatives and implement suggestions and changes.
About CordenPharma
CordenPharma is a CDMO partner that supports biotech and pharma innovators of complex modalities in advancing their drug development cycle. Leveraging the collective expertise of teams across its globally integrated network of sites, CordenPharma provides customized outsourcing services for the entire supply chain. From the early clinical development phase through to commercialization.
With scientific expertise and partnership at its core, CordenPharma offers its customers high quality end-to-end services with a strategic focus on peptides, oligonucleotides, customized lipid excipients, lipid nanoparticles, sterile injectables and the extensive range of small molecules (both high potency and normal potency).
The CordenPharma Group consists of 12 facilities in Europe and North America.
A big thank you to CodenPharma and especially to the project team for the partnership-based, solution-oriented collaboration. We have learned a lot that will help us move forward!
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