TNT signs pharma duo for Medpak service

TNT has signed up two global customers for its new cold chain packaging and shipping solution, Medpak VI°C.
The Europe-based express operator did not name the customers but said that one is “a leading clinical trial company” while the other is “a global biotech company”.
Medpak VI°C, which guarantees a temperature variance of no more than 1°C during transport, is a reusable temperature-controlled packaging network service
TNT said that it is intended to help healthcare manufacturers “reduce costs and waste when shipping temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical and biological materials”.
It added: “Stricter regulations on patient safety and the growth in biologic drugs are increasing the need for proven cold chain logistics solutions, but these are often provided at a high price by specialist firms with no own delivery network.”
Medpak VI°C, which can maintain chilled, controlled-ambient or frozen temperatures for more than 96 hours, comes with tracking and monitoring to ensure compliant cold chain management.
It uses the patented cold chain packaging technology from the German company va-Q-tec. This packaging solution uses PCM (phase change materials) and vacuum insulation panels to keep temperature-sensitive packages within defined temperature ranges.
TNT provides the boxes on a one-way rental basis, transports the temperature-sensitive materials, and takes the empty boxes back after delivery to the receiver.
“Reusing phase change material shippers can lower the cost of quality compliance, whilst reducing risk in the cold chain. With Medpak VI°C, we answer the need for balance between quality and cost, which our customers in the life science and health industry are looking for,” said Cathy O’Brien, industry marketing director healthcare at TNT.