International Bonded Couriers (IBC) has gained a ‘cool’ contract to run an operations centre inSingapore for Cryoport, the US specialist for frozen shipping logistics.
Cryoport, which offers ‘deep frozen’ shipping of temperature-sensitive biopharma and lifesciences products, announced that IBC has agreed to manage the operations centre for warehousing,shipping and receiving in support of its Asian operations. The contract value and length wasnot disclosed.
US-based IBC maintains more than 50 offices worldwide, uniting all facets of internationaldelivery and logistics with an advanced, integrated computer network. As well as providinginternational courier services, the company, a member of the Global Distribution Alliance, offersglobal mailing and international logistics services.
“International Bonded Couriers is delighted to enter into this collaboration with Cryoport, aleading cold chain logistics service provider,” said Robert Paterson, IBC’s Chief CommercialOfficer. “Our combined services and technologies, plus our turnkey approach to customersatisfaction, offer Cryoport and their sponsor clients a robust and proven option to moreeffectively meet their clinical development goals.”
Cryoport’s Chief Commercial Officer Steven Leatherman stated: “We are pleased to strengthen ourrelationship with IBC. With our rapidly growing ‘deep frozen’ customer base, IBC providesCryoport with a fully flexible and collaborative approach to solving our customer’s logisticsdemands.”
Cryoport said it provides leading edge frozen shipping logistics services through thecombination of purpose built proprietary technologies and total turnkey management of the entireprocess. The Cryoport Express liquid nitrogen dry vapor shipper is validated to maintain a constant-150°C temperature for a 10 plus day dynamic shipment duration, and its Cryoportal LogisticsManagement Platform manages the entire shipment process, including initial order, documentpreparation, customs clearance, courier management, shipment tracking, issue resolution, anddelivery.
The company said its total turnkey service management approach offers reliability, costeffectiveness, and convenience, while the use of recyclable and reusable components provides a “green” and environmentally friendly solution.
Cryoport has so far worked closely with FedEx to roll out its services internationally. Lastyear FedEx launched the ‘FedEx Deep Frozen Shipping Solution’ for healthcare customers, based onthe Cryoport Express Dry Shipper solution. This uses liquid nitrogen dry vapour technology thatmaintains a temperature of below -150° for up to 10 days and offers an alternative to thetraditional use of dry ice, which has to be replaced every 72 hours, to maintain low temperatures.FedEx showcased the solution at its healthcare customer event in New York last month.
Cryoport also works with DHL and other companies as carrier partners.
