Suzuken and World Courier Collaborate to Enhance Cell and Gene Therapy Logistics in Japan

Suzuken Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Suzuken”, CEO: Hiromi Miyata) and World Courier, a part of AmerisourceBergen, (hereinafter referred to as “World Courier”, President: Sam Herbert) today announced they would integrate their temperature-controlled logistics capabilities in Japan to enhance cell and gene therapy distribution.

The collaboration offers Suzuken’s Japan-based customers the opportunity to utilize World Courier’s global cold chain network to extend their cell and gene therapy supply chains worldwide. World Courier customers will benefit from improved access to the Japanese market and more domestic routing options, improving supply chain efficiency.

Hiromi Miyata commented: “We are pleased with the partnership with World Courier. World Courier’s global experience and know-how are now combined with Suzuken Group’s domestic platform. This will help to build the Suzuken platform more securely and safely in new areas such as regenerative medicines, leading to improvements for patient wellness, medical institutions and manufacturers.”

Sam Herbert commented: “By integrating Suzuken into our logistics platform we will enhance cell and gene therapy distribution in Japan, increasing patient access to these transformative therapies and improving overall supply chain efficiency.”

Japan is a growing centre of cell and gene therapy clinical and commercial activity, and the global market size is projected to grow to more than USD50 billion by 2025.

World Courier’s logistics platform includes a fully GxP compliant network of 140+ owned offices, managing controlled deliveries at +18°C to -190°C globally. World Courier is actively involved in more than half of cell and gene therapy trials and supports multiple commercial scale therapies.

Suzuken has collaborated with AmerisourceBergen since 2016, by utilizing Cubixx Solutions to improve specialty pharmaceutical distribution in Japan.

About World Courier

World Courier is a global specialty logistics company that designs world-class supply chain programs in complete alignment with customers’ business goals. The company delivers ultimate peace of mind for the transport and storage of time- and temperature-sensitive products. For more than 45 years, only World Courier has delivered the unsurpassed knowledge, global reach and flawless supply chain execution needed to become the most trusted specialty logistics company in the world. For more information, visit worldcourier.com.

About AmerisourceBergen

AmerisourceBergen provides pharmaceutical products, value-driving services and business solutions that improve access to care. Tens of thousands of healthcare providers, veterinary practices and livestock producers trust us as their partner in the pharmaceutical supply chain. Global manufacturers depend on us for services that drive commercial success for their products. Through our daily work—and powered by our 21,000 associates—we are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #12 on the Fortune 500, with more than $150 billion in annual revenue. The company is headquartered in Valley Forge, Pa. and has a presence in 50+ countries. Learn more at amerisourcebergen.com.

About the Suzuken Group

Established in 1932, the Suzuken Group is one of the largest Japanese pharmaceutical distribution and logistics services companies and is listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The Suzuken Group defines its business domain as the “health creator” field. The Group conducts a comprehensive range of businesses related to medical care and health, including not only its core pharmaceutical distribution business, but also the research, development, and manufacture of new medicines, support for pharmaceutical manufacturers, the insurance pharmacy business and the nursing care busuness. In addition, the Suzuken Group is the only pharmaceutical wholesale company in Japan that has distribution functions (a “medical distribution platform”) extending from pharmaceutical manufacturers to distributions, and from the distributors to medical institutions and insurance pharmacies. Additionaly, the Suzuken Group’s strengths lie in its ability to provide one-step solutions to meet increasingly diverse and sophisticated pharmaceutical distribution needs from the perspective of manufacturers, medical institutions, insurance pharmacies, and patients.

With over 2 trillion yen in annual net sales, the Suzuken Group is headquartered in Nagoya, Japan and employs approximately 16,000 people.
For more information, go to https://www.suzuken.co.jp/en/