DHL Invests $200 Million into Life Sciences Logistics, AskBio Begins Heart Failure Trial
More life science news, including a major investment by DHL Supply Chain and the launch of gene therapy trial
By Alex Keown
As the need for improved logistics among the life sciences increases, DHL Supply Chain is answering the call with a $200 million investment.
The company, known for its red and yellow logoed trucks, plans to build five new, state-of-the-art warehouse facilities that will expand the company’s footprint to more than 13 million square feet. Currently, DHL has 35 warehouse facilities dedicated to serving their life sciences customers. The new warehouses are planned to be built in both North Carolina and Pennsylvania. DHL identified these two states as “strategic markets.” DHL did not indicate how many people these new sites would employ.
“The new facilities in Pennsylvania will position the company within proximity to major pharmaceutical hubs and research institutions, enabling faster and more efficient distribution of critical products. Meanwhile, the North Carolina facilities will cater to the growing demand for life sciences logistics in the southeast region, offering proximity to major airports and transportation infrastructure,” DHL announced.
Both North Carolina and Pennsylvania are top 10 life sciences hubs, according to Genetic Engineering News. According to the latest rankings released in 2023, Pennsylvania, primarily the greater Philadelphia area, ranked seventh and North Carolina, anchored by Research Triangle Park, ranked eighth on the list.
Jim Saponaro, president of Life Sciences and Healthcare at DHL Supply Chain, said the investment reflects the company’s “commitment to providing the industry with the reliable, efficient, and temperature-controlled logistics solutions that are needed to deliver life-saving treatments and products to patients in need.”
Some of the funds will be used to install cutting-edge warehouse technology that will optimize operations and enhance resiliency particularly in the face of unforeseen disruptions. DHL announced. Some of the technological investments include:
· Automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robots: These systems help to boost productivity, address labor challenges and provide flexibility to warehouses especially in picking and material handling.
· Optimization of network inventory: Enhanced visibility into inventory deployment levels coupled with dynamic slotting tools enable nimble response to evolving market demands. Customers will also have end-to-end visibility of their inventory using DHL’s MySupplyChain.
· Temperature-controlled environments: Dedicated cold chain solutions guarantee the integrity of temperature-sensitive products throughout the supply chain.
“Our investments in technology and strategic locations will empower our customers to better anticipate and navigate disruptions, ensuring uninterrupted delivery of critical supplies,” Saponaro said in a statement.
AskBio Kicks 0ff Phase II Gene Therapy Trial for Congestive Heart Failure
AskBio, a division of Bayer AG, randomized the first patient in its mid-stage trial assessing AB-1002, an investigational gene therapy, for the treatment of adults with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and heart failure symptoms.
The GenePHIT trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the one-time administration of AB-1002. The clinical trial will include between 90 and 150 adults who have left ventricular ejection fraction between 15% and 35%, and who continue to suffer from heart failure symptoms despite currently recommended therapy. The primary efficacy endpoint at 52 weeks is a modified win ratio of several clinically meaningful assessments, the North Carolina-based company announced.
“The randomization of the first patient as a part of the Phase II GenePHIT trial is an important moment for the heart failure community,” Timothy D. Henry, principal investigator and Steering Committee Member said in a statement. “GenePHIT will evaluate the safety and efficacy of AB-1002 in the largest number of patients to date and improve our understanding of gene therapy overall for the treatment of congestive heart failure. The initiation of this trial brings us a step closer to potentially changing the course of this deadly and devastating disease.”