Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) and Moderna have finalised a deal that will see the freight forwarder supporting the supply chain and distribution of the pharma firm's Covid-19 vaccine.
K+N said that as part of the deal, it will support the distribution of vaccines from Moderna’s supply chain in Europe, to destinations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA) and parts of the Americas.
The forwarder will also provide pharma warehousing for the vaccine at its hub in Europe and will use its global network to distribute the vaccine via road and air.
"At all stages of transport and storage, product integrity at the required temperature of -20°C will be maintained," a spokesperson for K+N said.
Robert Coyle, senior vice president of pharma and healthcare at K+N, commented: "With today’s announcement, we take on the responsibility to distribute Covid-19 vaccine Moderna around the world. We have invested in our pharma and healthcare network and our global team of experts for decades; we are ready now, for when it matters the most."
Dan Staner, vice president, head of EMEA region, at Moderna, added:"We are proud to be partnering with Kuehne+Nagel in Europe to support the distribution of vaccines to global citizens. Following the recent approvals, this is another step closer to resolving the pandemic and an exciting time for both our companies and everyone involved."
K+N’s clinical trial logistics subsidiary, QuickSTAT, has been part of Moderna's vaccine supply chain as well, having supported Phase II and Phase III clinical trial supply logistics in the US.
K+N added that it has also signed partnerships with authorities in several countries for local storage and last-mile distribution of the vaccine, such in Germany’s most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia.
