CLIENT CASE STUDY

How to safely ship your biomaterials… around the globe

OVERVIEW

Shipping biomaterials like cell banks and biospecimens across borders presents complex logistical and communications challenges. Ensuring proper temperature control, regulatory compliance, and on-time delivery demands precise coordination between shipper and courier.

While large courier services (e.g., FedEx, UPS, DHL) are effective for general shipping, ABS Bio recognized that our clients’ needs required a more tailored approach. We built a global network of specialized couriers to deliver more responsive, region-specific, and communication-driven service — aligned with our commitment to client success.

CHALLENGE

Before any international shipment leaves our facility, ABS Bio conducts a comprehensive pre-shipment “dry run” to confirm routes, documentation, permits, and temperature control protocols. This critical step ensures readiness, compliance, and shipment integrity.

However, when using large, commodity-oriented couriers:

  • It was difficult to reach the right personnel for complex shipments
  • Communication delays often jeopardized project timelines
  • Tracking updates were slow or incomplete
  • Dry ice replenishment was inconsistent
  • Shipments experienced temperature excursions due to delays or mishandling

These issues made it clear: the standard courier model wasn’t compatible with our high-touch, custom logistics requirements.

SOLUTION

We have created a curated network of regional specialty couriers with expertise in international biomaterial transport. This enables us to assign the optimal courier for each country or region — one with the local knowledge and capabilities to deliver securely, on time, and at the right temperature.

This network helps ABS Bio:

  • Maintain fast and accurate communication throughout each shipment
  • Ensure local compliance and secure all necessary permits
  • Enable automatic cold chain maintenance and dry ice replenishment
  • Provide real-time tracking of temperature, location, and delivery status
  • Meet or exceed delivery timelines, even in challenging destinations
  • Overcome language and cultural barriers

IMPLEMENTATION

To build and integrate this network, ABS Bio:

  • Interviewed each courier to document best practices and processes
  • Developed standardized procedures and added QMS documentation
  • Created detailed contact maps for each courier to speed up communication
  • Formalized documentation responsibilities (e.g., EEI/SED handling)
  • Implemented trusted real-time temperature monitoring for all shipments

RESULTS

Key improvements after onboarding specialty couriers:

Other improvements:

  • Automatic cold chain management in transit
  • End-to-end milestone tracking for all shipments, pre- and post-fulfillment
  • Shorter timelines for airline booking, labeling, pickup, and delivery

BENEFITS

  • Greater Visibility & Control: Clients have access to real-time tracking and temperature logs for every shipment, meeting GxP and other regulatory standards.

  • Reduced Risk: Fewer delays and temperature deviations increase the likelihood of shipment viability and regulatory acceptance.

  • Faster Delivery: In many cases, shipments arrive ahead of schedule.

  • Simplified Communication: Specialty couriers facilitate translations and assist with local documentation, reducing client and internal workload.

  • Peace of Mind: Clients trust that their biomaterials are in expert hands, with safeguards and tracking that ensure delivery success.

HARMINDER SINGH, M.D.

Business Development Director, ABS Bio

15+ years in life sciences

Biospecimen operations expert

Precision medicine research

Harminder Singh, M.D. is Business Development Director at ABS Bio. He joined ABS Bio from Cureline, where he was instrumental in leading biospecimen operations. He brings more than 15 years of experience in the life sciences industry and is a recognized expert in human biospecimen sourcing, management, and global clinical research. Dr. Singh is actively engaged in designing and executing research projects involving human biospecimens to help develop precision medicine therapies. He has a strong track record of building and maintaining long-term partnerships with clinical networks and pharmaceutical/biotechnology clients.