Our full-service logistics and cell and gene therapy shipping solutions help you seamlessly deliver innovation
Cell and gene therapy (CGT) logistics overcome critical challenges that have historically affected the global cell therapy supply chain. Cell therapy logistics requires strict temperature control and time-sensitive delivery. Explore how World Courier's solutions streamline these processes to ensure the safe and efficient transport of these groundbreaking therapies — and discover how we are advancing the CGT supply chain as an expert advanced therapy logistics provider:
- What is cell and gene therapy and how does the supply chain work?
- Providing cell and gene therapy logistics solutions
- Cell and gene therapy supply chain challenges
- Why choose World Courier for your cell and gene therapy logistics?
What is cell and gene therapy and how does the supply chain work?
Cell and gene logistics is the specialized supply chain management required to transport, store, and track live, highly sensitive biological materials — such as human cells, tissues, and genetic vectors — under strict time and temperature-sensitive conditions. Cell therapy logistics typically involves collecting a patient's cells through leukapheresis, transporting them to a manufacturing facility for processing and modification, and then returning the finished therapy to the treatment site for patient reinfusion. This is why cell therapy supply chain management is significantly more complex than conventional pharma supply chains.
Cell and gene therapies represent the leading edge of biomedical research. Together, autologous and allogeneic cell, gene, and tissue therapies are transforming healthcare. Approvals of autologous CAR-T therapies such as Kymriah and Yescarta, and allogeneic treatments including Rethymic and Alofisel, reinforce the advancements in this space.
CGT sponsors must consider every aspect of their development and manufacturing journey as early as possible to ensure their discovery therapy can be approved and commercialized without delay.
Planning for all stages of cell therapy logistics — including development, clinical trials, and commercialization — is a crucial part of this process. However, CGTs come with unique and demanding logistical requirements that add complexity and risk to their supply chains. Understanding the end-to-end supply chain of CGTs early ensures risks are mitigated before they cause delays in getting treatment to patients.
Key aspects of a robust cold supply chain:
- Global real-time temperature and location monitoring
- Contingency plans for any situation
- Compliance support for import/export and special handling requirements
- Cryogenic packaging, storage, and transportation
Providing cell and gene therapy logistics solutions
World Courier is a trusted partner for cell and gene therapy supply chains, offering specialized solutions tailored to your needs. We have over five decades of experience in specialty logistics and have been transporting CGTs since 2005.
We have made a name for ourselves through our white-glove service of gene and cell therapy shipping. Our dedicated cell and gene therapy logistics team is reinforced by years of industry know-how that covers the entire cell therapy supply chain.
Supporting advanced therapy solutions
Temperature-controlled solutions for cell and gene therapy storage
Quality systems
Cell and gene therapy supply chain challenges
Time sensitivity
Temperature deviations
Traceability and chain of identity (COI)
Regulatory hurdles
High interconnectedness
Scalability
Rising to the cell and gene therapy supply chain challenge
Global cryogenic charging locations
To support the growth of the advanced therapy solutions industry and enable more patients than ever before to be treated with these life-changing therapies, we can charge (refill or replenish liquid nitrogen) across our network of more than 120 offices globally.
Through this global network, we help advanced therapy companies build robust logistics platforms that support the clinical development and commercialization of therapies to meet patient treatment needs.
Solutions that grow with your needs
The World Courier difference
Dependable cold chain solutions in cell therapy
World Courier delivers dependable cold chain logistics in cell therapy, ensuring temperature-sensitive materials remain protected from initial collection through to final delivery. Our solutions are designed to manage controlled and cryogenic requirements across every handoff — combining qualified packaging, real-time monitoring, and expert handling. This integrated approach safeguards product integrity throughout transport, supporting time-critical cell therapy shipping while maintaining strict temperature compliance across the supply chain.
Working with our partners
Our goal remains the same — to ensure safe and efficient delivery of life-changing cryogenic transport for gene therapy products to patients who need them most.
Why choose World Courier for your cell and gene therapy logistics?
World Courier combines deep expertise in cell and gene therapy logistics with global infrastructure built to support the most complex, time- and temperature-sensitive therapies. Our solutions are designed to protect product integrity at every stage of the supply chain, from cryogenic preservation and controlled transport to final delivery.
With a worldwide network of LN₂ charging centers, licensed cryogenic facilities, and trained specialists, we support reliable cell therapy shipping and cold chain execution across clinical and commercial programs. Backed by robust quality systems and strong regulatory compliance, we help reduce risk and improve consistency, giving partners confidence as their therapies scale globally.
Our Global LN2 charging capability
Our pharmaceutical delivery credentials
World Courier is a trusted provider of cell therapy supply chain management, with the regulatory compliance history and credentials to prove it.
By prioritizing quality, we also go beyond baseline compliance to optimize the cell therapy supply chain for our customers and their patients. Our teams ensure regulatory compliance and mitigate risks through training and communication. By engaging stakeholders on a shipment-by-shipment basis, we deliver quality that exceeds minimum requirements. Trust us for secure and compliant handling throughout your commercialization journey.
Other international guidelines we adhere to:
- GDP compliant
- National and State Board of Pharmacy licensed (where applicable)
- WHO good distribution practices for pharmaceutical products, TRS No. 957 Annex 5
- EU guidelines on good distribution practice of medicinal products for human use (2013/C 343/01)
- USP <1079> Good Storage and Shipping Practices for Drug Products, US Pharmacopeia
- Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 21 Part 11 compliant.
API integration for cell and gene therapy logistics
Our API integrations allow your internal systems to connect directly with ours. This enables automated order creation, real-time shipment tracking, and instant milestone notifications without manual input. For cell therapy supply chain management where timing and data accuracy are critical, this means fewer errors and faster turnaround at every stage.
Our platform integrates with leading cell orchestration platforms, making it straightforward to embed World Courier's cell and gene therapy shipping capabilities into your existing workflows. Whether you are managing clinical trials or scaling to commercial volumes, the connection between your systems and ours is seamless. IT support is also on hand to help with any integration challenges.
Cell and gene therapy FAQs
Are CGTs dangerous goods?
How do you ensure CGTs stay within the right temperature range?
What does cell and gene therapy do?
Why are CGTs so crucial today?
Cell and gene therapies are crucial because they offer a cutting-edge approach to treating diseases. They offer personalized treatments for conditions like cancer and genetic disorders, holding the potential to revolutionize healthcare. With fewer side effects and the ability to address the causes of illnesses, these therapies offer new hope for patients who had limited options in the past — providing a path towards better outcomes and improved quality of life.
