UPS Expands Healthcare Capabilities to Support Clinical Trials

UPS is to expand its healthcare-specific capabilities to support clinical trials. The delivery giant’s investments in a range of specialized solutions are claimed to “help pharmaceutical companies and clinical investigators move sensitive materials and specimens globally, particularly in and out of complex geographies”.

UPS has made improvements specifically targeted to meet strict clinical trial logistics requirements. Enhancements include: development of an easy-to-use shipping system for clinical investigator sites; an expansion of the healthcare control tower network, package intercept and re-icing capabilities; and upgraded operations to move temperature-sensitive biological specimens in and out of more than 60 countries more efficiently. Making these investments, together with utilizing an established network of local specialty couriers, helps UPS serve the clinical trial research community by providing efficiency in the transport of specimens without sacrificing service.

Given the global reach of clinical studies, streamlined logistics are an increasingly important component of successful trials. UPS says it is well-poised to serve this expanding market, with capabilities that cover many geographies, from San Francisco to Sao Paulo, or Bangkok to Berlin.


“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. Our cost-effective portfolio streamlines logistics for clinical trials into one global network across sometimes remote, hard-to-reach locations,” said Habib N’Konou, UPS senior operations director for clinical trials. “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 will reduce product loss or damage.”