"There are over 650 cell and gene therapy clinical trials underway in APAC region"

Catering to pharma companies globally and ensuring seamless transportation of critical healthcare products, World Courier, a global specialty logistics provider and a part of US-based contract research organisation Cencora, has recently appointed Michael Culme-Seymour as its new Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific (APAC).

- Dr Manbeena Chawla

Michael Culme-Seymour, Regional Vice President - Asia Pacific, World Courier, Singapore

To understand more about the latest trends and challenges facing the pharma logistics sector in the APAC region, and how World Courier is addressing those, BioSpectrum Asia has a detailed conversation with Michael Culme-Seymour. Edited excerpts;

What are the company's major plans in store for 2025, particularly for the APAC region?

The pharmaceutical sector in the APAC region continues to experience tremendous growth. Over the last decade, the percentage of clinical trials that have started in Asia has significantly increased. China, in particular, accounts for a much larger share of total clinical trial starts than it did 10 years ago, jumping from 8 per cent in 2013 to 29 per cent in 2023. Research suggests this trend will continue, as the Asia Pacific region is expected to experience the fastest annual growth in the clinical trial market between 2025 and 2030. As more companies establish clinical trials or require storage and transport solutions to support the delivery of commercial products throughout the region, we continue to expand and strengthen our capabilities to meet the growing demand for premium specialty logistics services, specifically suited to the clinical trial supply chain.