Pharmaserv Logistics, which specializes in pharmaceutical logistics, temperature-controlled exports and pre-wholesale solutions, has concluded a contract with vaccine manufacturer Valneva for the supply of extensive pharmaceutical logistics services.

Valneva, the result of the merger between Intercell and Vivalis, is a fully integrated company that specializes in the development, manufacturing and marketing of vaccines. The vaccine biotech company’s mission is to protect people from infectious diseases by providing innovative vaccines. To this end, the company has launched a travel vaccine on the market which protects the recipient from Japanese encephalitis; the product portfolio also includes a product that provides active immunization against cholera and, in some countries, protects the recipient from diarrhea caused by ETEC.

Solution for Temperature-sensitive Vaccines
Pharmaserv Logistics will be providing GDP-compliant storage for Valneva and taking over the international distribution of these temperature-sensitive vaccines. The storage services will be provided at the “Central Pharma Distribution Center” located at the headquarters of the logistics company in the Behringwerke, Marburg.
The range of services provided begins with collecting the finished goods from the contract manufacturer or accepting imported goods for storage. Once the incoming goods have been thoroughly inspected, the vaccines are placed in the logistic center’s cold storage facility. This currently has a capacity of approx. 2,200 storage spaces at 2° to -8°C, and an extension is already being planned. Once the order has been entered into the validated warehouse management system, Pharmaserv Logistics takes over the task of picking the sensitive products and packing them ready for dispatch. They are subsequently dispatched by truck or airfreight. The roller tracks built into the logistics center allow the actively cooled airfreight containers to be filled and dispatched directly from the warehouse. This is where the GDP-compliant network of dedicated logistics partners comes in.

Global Supply Chain with Numerous Challenges
“After issuing a Europe-wide invitation to tender, we decided on Pharmaserv Logistics, not least because we have known the company for many years, especially as the site operator of the Behringwerke Pharma Park. Ultimately it was their focus on the logistics of temperature-sensitive, high-priced drugs and the impressive qualifications of their warehouse staff that convinced us,” says Olivier Jankowitsch, Valneva’s Vice President Global Supply Operations.
Dr. Martin Egger, Vice President of Pharmaserv Logistics, adds: “Choosing a logistic service provider is always a matter of trust and service quality. Valneva is a perfect match for us and our portfolio. Firstly, they distribute highly temperature-sensitive products, and secondly, their global supply chain poses numerous challenges in areas with which we have considerable experience.”
“We are delighted to be doing business with Valneva, another target customer in the vaccine production segment. This shows that the biotech and pharmaceuticals industries are aware of our specialized logistic services for temperature-sensitive or expensive drugs and acknowledge their quality,” concludes Manuel Papstein, Head of Business Development at Pharmaserv Logistics.