Brussels Airport is a key partner in a project for the development of a standardized Precision Therapy Logistics Gateway (PTLG). Over the weeks to come, trial consignments will be forwarded from Brussels to Dallas.
The project was initialized by Pharma.Aero and developed by Air Cargo Belgium, Brussels Airport Company (BAC) and at.las ATMP, a platform for the development of advanced therapies. “This is a further step in advanced pharma and healthcare logistics,” says Pharma.Aero Secretary-General, Frank Van Gelder. “It is being developed for therapies linked to malign diseases.”
Diseases such as cancer and the like are increasingly becoming dependent on personalized specialized treatments. This poses tremendous challenges on the logistics side, notes Mr. Van Gelder. “First of all, there is temperature integrity, putting high demands on packaging. Furthermore, there is a huge time-critical factor, sometimes of a few days only. The consignments also have to be defined as ‘unique’. You cannot afford them being stuck at Customs.”
Trials
Van Gelder stresses that, as the volumes are very small, no full freighters will be needed. “We need a very reactive network – of narrowbodies mostly. From the airline that will demand solid network control; from the airport, a center or platform of expertise, operational 24/7 and 365 days a year. The degree of expertise must be significant, and the consignments have to be monitored permanently through a control tower.”
In a first phase, Pharma.Aero set out the framework for the project. Today, in the second phase, 162 (3 x 54 shipments) consignments are being tested and flown between The Science Park University of Antwerp in the Antwerp suburb, Niel, and Biolabs, Pegasus Park in Dallas. The Antwerp Science Park, which houses various companies involved in cell and gene therapy, is close to Brussels Airport. The project is financially supported by the Belgian provinces of Antwerp and Flemish Brabant.
The products sent through the trials are genuine, says Frank Van Gelder. “Otherwise, we would not be able to test their condition and where deviation may have occurred. The products are tested in both locations, not on the quality level however, but they will not be used on patients. The results of these trials will be mapped to ascertain where things go both well and wrong. There will be no finger pointing. The aim is to uncover the obstacles and put them right.”
Apart from the air leg, the second phase also concentrates on the logistic challenges door-to-door. Eventually, the trials are supposed to provide a basis for the creation of both a standardized protocol and an internationally recognized label.
A pharma corridor was set up years ago between Brussels Airport and Dallas Fort Worth, within the framework of the IATA CEIV Pharma concept. Frank Van Gelder: “So, the connection is already there. Another corridor may be Brussels to Abu Dhabi, which has excellent connections to the Far East as well as Africa.”
Transfer needed
The fact that, at the moment, there are no direct flights between Brussels and Dallas, is not much of a problem, says Mr Van Gelder. “We transfer in Frankfurt or somewhere in the U.S. The impact of this transshipment will also be checked in the trials.”
‘Air Cargo Belgium is also in the lead of the project, says the umbrella organization’s Director, Freek De Witte. “We will study protocols, standard operating procedures and a specific code for these products. Together with Brussels Airport Company, we look into the feasibility of a dedicated facility not unlike the existing Animal Care and Inspection Centre.”
Freeing up space
Unrelated to this project, BAC has also begun the demolition of the former Schenker premises at Brucargo East. According to BAC, the space will be developed into new facilities, but so far, the plans are not yet concrete.
