Marken Acquires Three European Logistics Firms to Strengthen Clinical Trial Supply Chain

On July 16, 2019, VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned that supply chain company Marken announced the acquisition of three European logistics firms: HRTL in Italy, HETO in Austria, and Der Kurier in Hungary. This acquisition strengthens Marken’s logistics footprint in Europe’s pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, securing market presence in Italy, Austria, and Hungary, and bringing its total number of logistics sites to 51, including 10 GMP-compliant clinical storage warehouses.

Marken, a wholly owned subsidiary of UPS founded in 1980, is a supply chain company serving the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. Marken is dedicated to providing home healthcare services to patients and operates a state-of-the-art GMP-compliant warehouse network and logistics centers across 51 locations in 26 countries for the storage and distribution of clinical trial materials. Its 1,000 employees manage 70,000 drug shipments each month, ensuring transportation under any temperature conditions to over 150 countries worldwide.

This acquisition holds significant importance for Marken. Founded in 1979, Der Kurier can deliver express shipments nationwide overnight and even directly into surgical operating rooms; HETO offers standardized cold storage and 5S office areas. Established in the 1970s, HRTL has obtained licenses in multiple countries, enabling it to operate across borders. It has built strong relationships with local suppliers, airlines, and customs brokers, and its major logistics hubs are located near airports, which is highly advantageous for transporting time-sensitive and temperature-controlled goods.

This acquisition will expand Marken’s core clinical trial logistics opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe. Italy, Hungary, and Austria are significant sources of pharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly for drugs produced in sterile forms. Sterile drug products are especially sensitive and require specific temperature conditions during transportation to ensure stability. Moreover, Central and Eastern Europe are key regions for patient recruitment in clinical trials, and this acquisition further strengthens Marken’s biosample services in the area. Marken’s hybrid service model will leverage UPS’s network and airline partners.

Wes Wheeler, CEO of Marken, commented, “The acquisition of these companies addresses our practical business needs in Italy, Austria, and Hungary. Marken will rapidly integrate these three new companies into the Marken network, providing stronger operational capabilities across Europe. Our goal has always been to deliver first-class supply chain services, and this acquisition makes us even stronger.”

(Compiled by Fan Xin)