UPS has enhanced its global temperature-control logistics capabilities to address the requirements of clinical trials and to help those involved in the pharmaceutical industry.

According to UPS, improvements include the development of a shipping system for clinical investigator sites, a larger healthcare control tower network, expanded package-intercept and re-icing capabilities, as well as upgraded operations to transport temperature-sensitive biological specimens in and out of over 60 countries.

“As innovation in the biopharma industry evolves – and with the emergence of personalized therapies and growing direct-to-patient trends – research and development activity will only increase around the world,” said Habib N’Konou, senior operations director for clinical trials at UPS. “Our cost-effective portfolio streamlines logistics for clinical trials into one global network across sometimes remote, hard-to-reach locations. With drug research taking years at a cost in the billions, a product loss or damage, including falling out of temperature range, could mean a costly setback. Our recent improvements to our network can help reduce product loss or damage.”

UPS has a network of more than 50 healthcare-specific facilities around the world, with temperature-sensitive storage and transportation, 24/7 monitoring and security, and a single global order management IT platform.

“Improved health outcomes through sophisticated drugs and vaccines starts with successful clinical trials,” said Geoff Light, vice president of global healthcare strategy. “Optimized logistics is an integral component of medical research and development, and our goal is to help clinical investigators reach any part of the world with maximum efficiency. We will continue to invest in the right global solutions with the aim of becoming the preeminent leader in biological specimen transportation.”