FedEx expands Korea centre to boost Asia Pacific logistics

FedEx has expanded its Life Science Center in Korea to enhance healthcare logistics capabilities in the Asia Pacific region.

The newly expanded facility in Gimpo, Gyeonggi-do, spans 2,288 square metres, nearly tripling the size of the previous centre. It includes five temperature-controlled zones maintaining conditions from -150°C to +25°C, which are constantly monitored to meet cold chain requirements critical for the pharmaceutical industry. Certified under the Korea Good Supply Practice (KGSP), the facility accommodates both domestic and international transportation needs while adhering to local quality and regulatory standards.

FedEx's strategic expansion aims to bolster its logistical services for healthcare shipments, ensuring timely transportation of sensitive items such as investigational medicinal products, biological samples, and other biopharmaceutical lines. This enhancement is designed to support pharmaceutical and clinical trial customers, with an emphasis on maintaining patient care by ensuring product integrity throughout the supply chain.

The pharmaceutical market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to reach USD $290 billion by 2028, with the region hosting roughly 50% of global clinical trials. This underscores its significant role in pharmaceutical research and development, prompting the need for precise logistics solutions. FedEx offers specialised healthcare and clinical trial logistics services through its international Express network and global Life Science Centers located in Korea, Singapore, Japan, India, the United States, and the Netherlands. Their over 130 cold-chain facilities worldwide are key to maintaining temperature integrity in shipments.

Kawal Preet, President, Asia Pacific at FedEx, commented, "Asia Pacific's healthcare sector is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by demographic shifts, infrastructure investments, and rapid tech advancements. At FedEx, we are leveraging our decades of healthcare expertise, extensive global network, and differentiated solutions to propel this growth. Through strategic investments in cutting-edge facilities and AI-driven smart logistics, we are reshaping healthcare supply chains and enabling the future of life sciences research and business innovation across the region."

FedEx Clinical Care, part of the company's suite of healthcare transportation solutions, guarantees end-to-end delivery for time and temperature-sensitive healthcare shipments. This service promises delivery within 24 to 48 hours and includes features such as temperature-controlled packaging, priority handling, and 24/7 monitoring through sensor-based real-time tracking.

Recently, FedEx was recognised for its "Innovation in Clinical Supply Chain Logistics" at the Korea Biopharma Excellence Awards 2024, commending its significant contributions to clinical supply chains in Korea. In August, the company launched FedEx Surround, an innovative solution enhancing control and visibility over healthcare and other critical shipments through advanced monitoring and intervention capabilities.