Logistics & Transport Challenges Drive The Need For More Complex Solutions

By Hussein Pirbhai, Operations Director for UK and Europe, Yourway

The COVID-19 pandemic emerged at a time when the clinical trial landscape had reached a peak in complexity. Global trials are now commonplace as drug makers seek to establish efficacy in diverse populations. Many of the therapies in clinical studies target rare diseases, with patients located in remote and disparate regions. The need to demonstrate improved performance over existing drugs also means that comparison studies are more widespread.

The growth of biologics, next-generation therapies, such as cell and gene therapies, and personalized medicines, all of which present an even higher level of logistics and transport challenges are driving the need for more complex solutions.

The pandemic created additional obstacles for the clinical supply chain. Lockdowns and restricted travel impacted manufacturing and logistics operations around the world. Many existing and new trials adopted virtual (direct-to-patient, DTP) trial practices in order to continue.