World Courier expands storage and distribution network
Breaks ground on new 135,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility in Singapore
World Courier, the global leader in investigational drug and trial-related transport, storage and distribution, is expanding its GMP-compliant Clinical Trial Supply Chain Services (CTSCS) network to 13 strategic and emerging markets, including a new 135,000ft2 (12,500m2) regional distribution facility in Singapore.
In addition to this state-of-the-art regional distribution centre, another new landmark facility in Tokyo, Japan, will open shortly to support this rapidly developing global clinical trials market. Major expansions are also now underway in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where the current storage area will quadruple; in Moscow, Russia; and in Johannesburg, South Africa, which will grow significantly after only its first year in operation.
Other expansions are planned for Bengaluru (India), Lima (Perú), São Paulo (Brazil) and Santiago (Chile), in direct response to client demand.
‘This expansion is client-driven and absolutely necessary to keep up with unprecedented demand from our pharmaceutical customers,’ saids Wayne Heyland, president and ceo of the World Courier group of companies.
‘Before 2005 when we were first to offer global, fully integrated ‘one-stop’ clinical trial transport, storage and local/regional distribution services, pharmaceutical customers had no alternative but to deal with multiple suppliers, resulting in unnecessary complexity, loss of control and disjointed chain of custody.
‘With the opening of our Singapore distribution facility, we will be able to offer these same integrated cost-effective services regionally throughout Asia/Pacific.’
‘World Courier’s decision to establish a regional clinical trial storage and distribution depot here strongly attests to Singapore’s strengths as a strategic supply chain hub for companies that wish to tap into the growing biomedical science and healthcare sectors in Asia/Pacific,’ added Kelvin Wong, director of logistics for the Singapore Economic Development Board. ‘This project will enhance the abilities of Singapore-based biomedical companies to control and manage their critical supply chains as they expand within the Asia/Pacific region.’
All World Courier’s CTSCS facilities are staffed by full-time licensed pharmacists and provide comprehensive storage and logistical solutions for investigational drugs and trial-related materials in temperature-controlled settings ranging from -70°C to +25°C, including complete supply chain management using World Courier’s proprietary CTM-STAR monitoring system.