World Courier wrapped 2025

With 2025 now all tied off and we kick off 2026, it bodes well to take a moment of self-reflection on just how far we have come in such a short time. Whether it be celebrating individual team members for their contributions, taking stock of the innovation wins we have made or making a note of milestones where we lead with purpose.

It has been a year shaped by challenges: a global landscape that continues to shift and evolve on an almost-daily basis along with continuing cost pressures. The industry has had to adapt on the fly to keep up. On the flip side though, that has only solidified our resolve to deliver an even better service to patients and the healthcare industry through continuous innovation and through the dedicated people who work here.

From cryogenic expansions to sustainability breakthroughs, and from life-saving deliveries to cutting-edge technology, 2025 has been nothing short of extraordinary. Let’s take a closer look at the stories that defined our year, the progress we have made, and the exciting future that lies ahead.

Expansion

Intertwined throughout 2025 was our commitment to innovation through purposeful network growth. We continued to strengthen the resilience and visibility of our global supply chain by expanding and enhancing the depots and facilities we own and operate. This keeps us in a leadership position among specialty logistics networks and reinforces the reliability customers expect from a largely owned global infrastructure. By growing our footprint while maintaining strategic partnerships where they add value, we ensure consistent, high-quality delivery to patients, even in the hardest-to-reach and underserved regions. As the demands of the pharma industry grow, so do we.

We had several standout moments this year, culminating with one final holiday gift: a new facility in Osaka, Japan. With 650 square meters of scalable storage and advanced cryogenic capabilities, including liquid nitrogen (LN₂) infrastructure, this facility is ready to support cell and gene therapies (CGTs) and handling of dangerous goods.

Before that, we also made a mark on the map in Stuttgart, Germany. This new facility is driven by sustainability and operational excellence. Equipped with solar power and fossil-free heating systems, this new space boosts storage capacity while setting a benchmark for environmentally responsible logistics.

In Ankara, Türkiye, too, we launched a GDP-compliant facility strategically located to support clinical trials and pharmaceutical innovation within the shared facilities of Alliance Healthcare, also part of Cencora.

"This expansion enhances our ability to serve healthcare providers and patients across the region more effectively... supporting the medical supply chain with precision, speed, and care,” said Cem Selcuk, Country Manager, Türkiye.

Our teams hosted an impressive 12 open houses over the past year. If you’d like a behind‑the‑scenes look at your local facility, keep an eye out for an open house happening near you on our events page.

Lastly, to support the robust growth of cell and gene therapies, we expanded our cryogenic storage capabilities in São Paulo and Beijing, two of the fastest-growing hubs for cell and gene therapy (CGT) research. With 4,341 therapies currently in development, including 2,129 gene therapies (49% of the total pipeline) and 920 non-genetically modified cell therapies (21% of the total pipeline), these expansions are critical to supporting the rapid growth of this innovative field [1]*.

“…we’re giving our customers the flexibility to manage therapies locally and regionally, with the confidence that every vial remains compliant, traceable and protected,” explained Niall Eastwood, Director of Clinical Supply Solutions.

Unquestionably, cell and gene therapies are here to stay, and our network is here to support that.

Another step towards enhanced sustainability

In Singapore, we converted half of our fleet to electric vehicles powered by solar energy, significantly reducing emissions and showcasing the potential of green logistics. Our depot in Singapore also underwent upgrades, including the installation of solar panels and heat-reflective paint to reduce energy consumption and improve efficiency.

Similarly, in South Korea, our efforts to integrate electric vehicles into our fleet aligned with our sustainability goals and demonstrated the practical benefits of responsible operations. As our President noted, “Upgrading to lower-emission vehicles directly supports our commitment to sustainability and responsible operations,” expressed Laurent Bendavid, President and Senior Vice President

A truly people-powered organization

Behind every shipment, facility, and innovation are thousands of dedicated people working tirelessly to make a difference in healthcare. Here are some of the stories where our people went above and beyond.

In Bolivia, Carolina Jiminez, Sales Manager and team helped drive unbroken access to diabetes medication for patients despite global shortages and cold chain logistics infrastructure challenges. Ultimately, it led to the delivery of over 100,000 units with zero deviations. Read more here.

Across the Pacific ocean, Michael Aitken, Customer Success Project Manager, and his team developed a comprehensive logistics plan to support the transport of critical treatments for a clinical trial. Their dedication ensures that patients — typically with limited options left — and participating in the trial receive the care they need. Learn more about it here.

In Singapore, our team including Ann Wong, Julie Cayetano, Jimmy Teo, Allen Ng, Jasmani Abdul Rahman, and Michael Culme-Seymour were recognized for their dedication, winning the award for Best Clinical Trial Logistics Provider for Cell & Gene Therapy at IMAPAC Cell & Gene Therapy World Asia 2025.

And finally, beyond Earth’s atmosphere, we played a role in advancing research in Poland. The team, including Jakub Pogoda, Business Development, supported the country’s mission to the International Space Station (ISS), delivering scientific samples that required unbroken temperature control and logistics expertise to the launch base in the United States. It goes to show: for research, exploration, and discovery, the sky is not the limit. 

What’s unwrapping in 2026?

Now is the time to build on the successes of 2025 as we look ahead to the opportunities of 2026. With that in mind, we are set to launch several exciting initiatives that will continue shape the future of healthcare logistics. 

One of the most anticipated developments is the introduction of real-time temperature monitoring (RTTM). This technology combines real-time location tracking with temperature monitoring, providing unmatched visibility and proactive risk alerts for cold chain shipments. For patients and customers alike, RTTM represents a leap forward in ensuring the integrity of life-saving therapies.

We are also developing new sustainable dry ice packaging solutions, reflecting our commitment to reducing waste and improving environmental responsibility. These solutions will enhance our ability to deliver critical shipments while minimizing our carbon footprint.

Finally, we are also excited to share the big changes that are coming to our customer service operations. These enhancements will strengthen the expertise and seamless support we provide, ensuring our team continues to go beyond traditional customer service — offering deep supply chain knowledge and proactive solutions that keep deliveries moving, even in the most complex situations.