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DHL Group acquires CRYOPDP from Cryoport to strengthen “DHL Health Logistics”

By Wei Zhang
3 min read
DHL
DHL
In this article (5)

DHL Group (“DHL”), the world’s leading logistics provider, and Cryoport, Inc. (“Cryoport”), a global provider of supply chain solutions for the life sciences sector, are pleased to announce that DHL has acquired 100% of CRYOPDP, a leading specialty courier focused on clinical trials, biopharma, and cell and gene therapies. In this context, the companies also announced a strategic partnership to strengthen their supply chain service offerings for the global life sciences and healthcare sector.

DHL Group already has an established Life Sciences and Healthcare business, contributing over EUR 5 billion in global revenue in 2024. Building on this foundation, the acquisition of CRYOPDP marks a significant step in DHL’s commitment to enhancing its capabilities in specialized pharma logistics and expanding the breadth of its offering in the rapidly growing life science and healthcare sector.CRYOPDP specializes in providing white-glove courier services essential to the sectors it serves. With operations in 15 countries, CRYOPDP handles over 600,000 shipments per year, servicing customers and patients in over 135 countries worldwide.

Going forward, DHL Supply Chain will further build the potential of its Pharma Specialized Network solution by leveraging the specialty courier expertise of newly acquired CRYOPDP and the global air capabilities of DHL Express and DHL Global Forwarding.

The strategic partnership with Cryoport will bring together DHL’s global health logistics capabilities with Cryoport’s industry-leading expertise in providing specialized solutions in a fast-growing life science and healthcare market segment. It also deepens DHL’s relationship with all the Cryoport business units with respect to specialized pharma.

Oscar de Bok, CEO of DHL Supply Chain, stated, “The acquisition of CRYOPDP is a pivotal move for our supply chain business as we aim to expand our Pharma Specialized Network to meet the evolving needs of clinical trials, biopharma and cell & gene therapies, in addition to further increasing our footprint in the conventional pharma and life science healthcare segment. The acquisition of CRYOPDP and the extended partnership with Cryoport Inc. will enable us to deliver integrated end-to-end solutions, enhancing our service capabilities.”

will enable us to deliver integrated end-to-end solutions, enhancing our service capabilities.”

Jerrell Shelton, CEO of Cryoport, commented, “We are indeed pleased to build on our trusted relationship with the DHL Group. Working together we will bring an enhanced set of supply chain solutions to meet companies’ and patients’ critical supply chain needs. This strategic partnership taps into the strong expertise of DHL’s Supply Chain and CRYOPDP, presenting a substantial opportunity for Cryoport to further expand its reach to global growth markets such as Asia Pacific (APAC) and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).”

The acquisition aligns with DHL Group’s Strategy 2030, which emphasizes the importance of temperature-controlled networks, first and last mile specialty courier coverage and integrated solutions. CRYOPDP’s capabilities will be instrumental in achieving these objectives and help position DHL as a leader in providing comprehensive solutions for the pharma industry. This strategic move is also expected to yield cost savings and improve overall service levels, especially leveraging DHL Express and DHL Global Forwarding air capabilities, ultimately enhancing DHL’s footprint in the high-value advanced pharma sector.

For Cryoport, the partnership with DHL will enable it to better execute its business in EMEA and APAC with a stronger focus on its core business in these regions, creating even greater opportunities to offer highly targeted, top-tier services in answering market demand for its services and products.

The deal and the outlined partnership are subject to regulatory approvals.

Questions & Answers

Q.

What kind of services does CRYOPDP specialise in?

A.

CRYOPDP provides specialty courier services, including white-glove courier services, for clinical trials, biopharma, and cell and gene therapies. They handle over 600,000 shipments yearly, serving customers in over 135 countries.

Q.

How will the acquisition and partnership help DHL expand its offerings?

A.

The acquisition allows DHL Supply Chain to integrate CRYOPDP's specialty courier expertise with DHL Express and Global Forwarding's air capabilities. The partnership strengthens DHL's global health logistics with Cryoport's specialized solutions, expanding its Pharma Specialized Network.

Q.

What benefits does this partnership offer to Cryoport?

A.

For Cryoport, the partnership enables better execution of its business in EMEA and APAC regions. It allows for a stronger focus on its core business and offers greater opportunities to provide targeted, top-tier services.

Q.

What is the primary motivation for DHL Group making this acquisition?

A.

DHL Group aims to enhance its capabilities in specialized pharma logistics and expand its offering in the growing life science and healthcare sector. The acquisition aligns with its Strategy 2030 to strengthen temperature-controlled networks and integrated solutions.

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