HEALTHCARE  /  TECH & INNOVATION

By FedEx | March 3, 2026

As the global biotechnology market expands, clinical logistics is becoming a strategic enabler of next-generation breakthroughs. Learn how Korea-based Boryung BioPharma is leveraging reliable cold chain solutions to drive innovation and deliver for its customers.

• As regulations tighten and supply chains face greater pressure, cold chain logistics plays an increasingly strategic role in driving growth across the biotechnology and healthcare sectors.
• Boryung BioPharma and FedEx have built a long-term partnership, working closely together to transport temperature-sensitive biological and medical samples safely and precisely.
• Leveraging our strategically located FedEx Life Science Centers, we support biotechnology companies with scalable and compliant end-to-end cold chain solutions.

In recent years, stricter regulatory standards and quality requirements have reshaped the way temperature-sensitive goods are produced and moved, driving greater precision in cold chain logistics.

Nowhere is this shift more impactful than in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, where even minor temperature deviations during shipping can compromise product efficacy and safety. As temperature-sensitive logistics achieves greater reliability and visibility, demand for advanced cold chain logistics solutions is rapidly growing.

The global air cargo cold chain market was valued at USD 12.4 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 28.7 billion by 2033 – more than doubling over the next decade. This growth is being fueled not only by rising shipment volumes, but also by a heightened need for resilient, agile supply chains designed to minimize disruptions.

In a landscape of global uncertainty, end-to-end cold chain capabilities are no longer a supporting function – they are a key enabler of reliability, risk control, and long-term competitiveness for businesses moving temperature-sensitive goods.

One sector at the forefront of this trend is biotechnology. From R&D to large-scale commercialization, biotech companies require precise temperature control across the entire supply chain. Seamless cold chain logistics holds the key to successful biotechnology innovation – enabling life-saving biological materials to reach hospitals, customers, and clinical trial sites in viable condition.

Boryung BioPharma: A trailblazer in Korea’s biopharmaceutical landscape

Against this backdrop of rising uncertainty and regulatory scrutiny, Boryung BioPharma has been a first-mover in recognizing the strategic importance of end-to-end clinical logistics and reliable cold chain capabilities.

A leading biotechnology company from South Korea, Boryung BioPharma specializes in vaccine development and distribution, cord blood banking, genomic diagnostics, and immunotherapy for allergic diseases. All of these fields rely on cold chain integrity to keep biological materials intact, from stem cells to DNA samples.

The company plays a pivotal role in Korea’s biopharmaceutical ecosystem, with its longstanding focus on cord blood preservation and its innovation in bio-based therapeutics. In 2011, it became the first company in Korea approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to establish a licensed cord blood bank. Since then, it has continued to push the boundaries of biotechnology by combining strong research expertise with enhanced supply chain resilience.

Collaborating to meet the complex needs of clinical logistics

To transport its sensitive healthcare materials swiftly and safely, Boryung BioPharma has been working closely with FedEx since 2016. This collaboration extends beyond simply moving shipments from point A to point B.

Over the years, FedEx has become a trusted advisor in managing the company’s complex logistics needs and reducing supply chain risk. The relationship has grown on a foundation of shared experience, operational know-how, and trust – an essential combination when handling shipments with little room for error.

One clear example of this collaboration in action is the transport of maternal blood samples. These samples must be collected during pregnancy and sent to laboratories for health screening. Even minor delays or environmental fluctuations during shipping can affect diagnostic accuracy, making precise temperature control and careful handling absolutely critical.

“Blood is extremely sensitive to temperature and shock,” said Sangyun Lee, the marketing manager of Boryung BioPharma. “We need to keep samples at room temperature between 15°C and 25°C throughout transit, while also protecting them from vibration and external impact. Delivery must also be completed within 24 hours to ensure accurate results. For more than a decade, FedEx has consistently delivered the level of service we rely on, helping us maintain diagnostic reliability for our customers and stay competitive in the market.”

The FedEx Life Science Center: A cutting-edge hub for global healthcare logistics

As FedEx strategically invests in specialized healthcare logistics infrastructure, its collaboration with Boryung BioPharma continues to deepen. A key example of this ongoing investment is the FedEx Life Science Center in Gimpo, South Korea, which was recently expanded in November 2024.

The Gimpo facility is part of FedEx’s global network of Life Science Centers, spanning Memphis (USA), Mumbai (India), Singapore, Tokyo (Japan), and Veldhoven(the Netherlands). Designed to meet the growing demand for clinical logistics in Korea and worldwide, it offers large-scale storage and delivery solutions for temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, biological samples, and more.

With five temperature-controlled zones ranging from cryogenic to ambient conditions, delicate shipments such as investigational medicinal products and biological samples can remain in the right temperature range until they’re ready to continue their journey. Each zone is supported by 24/7 monitoring and stringent operating procedures to ensure compliance with Korea Good Supply Practice (KGSP) standards.

“After visiting the FedEx Life Science Center in Gimpo, we were deeply impressed by its specialized infrastructure,” said Lee. “The ability to precisely maintain a wide range of temperature conditions, together with seamless end-to-end transportation processes and professionally managed operations, gave us strong confidence in its capabilities and reliability.”

Driving biotechnology forward with reliable cold chain logistics

By developing end-to-end logistics solutions and investing in advanced infrastructure, FedEx is strengthening its cold chain coverage across Korea. This high-quality coverage has proven mission-critical for companies like Boryung BioPharma, where business growth depends on the successful transport of commercial vaccines and other biopharmaceuticals at scale.

In a strict regulatory environment, the company needs logistics providers that meet rigorous requirements, including Good Distribution Practice (GDP) certification and structured documentation and reporting. Working with FedEx allows Boryung BioPharma to comply with these requirements and gain greater control of its vital shipments.

As the biotechnology sector continues to evolve, cold chain logistics will play an increasingly central role in sustaining quality, safety, and trust across supply chains. Beyond speed alone, the next generation of clinical logistics must be able to maintain precise standards and agilely manage risks. FedEx is dedicated to delivering smarter healthcare shipping solutions, enabling companies like Boryung BioPharma to drive innovation.