Temperature-controlled logistics specialist va-Q-tec has concluded a comprehensive agreement with one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers for the global distribution of a coronavirus vaccine.
The thermal containers and boxes operator said that the order of “several thousand high-performance transport containers” will run from first quarter of 2021, subject to expected vaccine approval.
As part of the agreement, the unnamed first customer is securing capacities for international, temperature-controlled vaccine distribution.
Va-Q-tec said that it is also in advanced negotiations aimed at comparable partnerships with further international vaccine manufacturers.
Said va-Q-tec in a statement: “Coronavirus vaccines are already being moved in the company’s thermal transport solutions, some of them are being pre- produced and distributed in large volumes on a pre-approval basis in order to supply the population with the vaccines immediately after official approval.
“In many such cases, little data is available on stability during transport and storage. Consequently, va-Q-tec transports the same coronavirus vaccines on an intercontinental basis at -70 °C, as well as on a local microdistribution basis at +2 to 8°C. This is in the same boxes and containers easily possible thanks to the company’s unique technology.
Va-Q-tec said that the initial agreement order volume comprises “several thousand high-performance transport containers”.
It added: “The parties intend to conclude a final agreement soon concerning the total volume of the partnership based on the heads of terms agreement. The approval of the active substance is a prerequisite for this agreement. At this stage, it is assumed that such approval will be granted.”
The va-Q-tec container fleet will be “expanded significantly” further over the coming months. As a consequence, said the statement, the German company “operates the world’s largest fleet of thermal containers, whose interiors maintain even low temperature ranges at a constant level of -20 °C and below over a period of several days”.
It added: “For this reason, va-Q-tec is in an ideal position to provide secure and reliable logistics for the valuable vaccine in the context of such a large-scale request, and has already many years of experience with international transports below -60 °C.”
Dr Joachim Kuhn, CEO and founder of va-Q-tec, stated: “First-class scientists have developed a vaccine within a very short time, and we are now helping to distribute the vaccine with our secure transport solutions.
“The present agreement is the most extensive in our twenty-year corporate history, and perhaps one of the most extensive in the sector ever. With our unique technology, our broad portfolio and our years of experience with low and very low temperatures, we can optimally support the global distribution of the coronavirus vaccine.
“Thanks to the extensive expansion of our container and box fleet as well as our worldwide network, we offer ideal prerequisites for tackling this enormous logistics challenge. We are proud to be able to make our contribution to the major common goal of the global battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.”
