World Courier opens new GMP-compliant depot in Istanbul

World Courier, a global specialty logistics provider and a part of AmerisourceBergen, recently opened a 4,000+ sqm GMP-compliant depot in Istanbul, Turkey.

The depot, which provides clinical trial and commercial drug storage and distribution services, enables the company to meet the growing demand for in-country storage and distribution support in Turkey, which has quickly emerged as a clinical research hub. World Courier is the first international company to provide clinical storage alongside distribution services in Turkey.

Watch the construction of the depot here

Alternative to direct-to-site model: Given that the average time to clear an international clinical trial shipment through customs in Turkey is nearly four days, this introduces challenges for on-time deliveries and increased risk for temperature deviations. In-country distribution enables more timely and efficient deliveries, improving patient access to medication.

Clinical and commercial storage capabilities: The depot can store a wide range of products, from API and IMP to advanced therapy medicinal products (including cell or tissue that has been manipulated, gene therapy medicinal product) and commercial products, such as vaccines.

Turkey has emerged as a popular destination for sponsors and manufacturers due, in part, to its location in the Eastern Europe, Middle East and North Africa triangle. The pharmaceutical market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 17.3 percent between 2018 and 2023, reaching TL78 billion by 2023.

With 22 storage facilities that are strategically positioned in global markets, World Courier can offer critical services for both commercial and clinical supply chain storage and inventory management.