The Pharma Logistics Masterclass 2024 kicks off in Dallas Fort Worth, North America’s first edition

The Pharma Logistics Masterclass (PLMC™), a globally renowned program founded by Pharma.Aero and the University of Antwerp, has launched its first-ever North American edition in Dallas Fort Worth. The event, which gathers over 160 industry professionals and academics from across the globe, marks a significant milestone for the pharmaceutical logistics industry as it seeks to address emerging challenges in the safe and efficient transportation of life-saving medicines.

The 2024 edition stands out not only for its location but also for the exceptional partnership involving Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), the University of North Texas, the University of Texas at Arlington, and BioNTX. This partnership highlights the growing importance of North America as a critical hub in the global pharmaceutical supply chain.

Prof. Dr. Roel Gevaers, University of Antwerp, Chair of the PLMC: “As Chair of the Pharma Logistics Masterclass, I am proud to highlight again the powerful collaboration between the University of Antwerp and Pharma.Aero, which has been a strong driving force in the industry. For this first USA edition, we are excited to expand that collaboration by partnering with DFW Airport, BioNTX, and leading academic institutions like UNT and UTA. Together, this strong alliance between business and academia sets the stage for an impactful exchange of expertise, leading the way to new innovations and solutions in the pharma logistics sector.”

Frank Van Gelder, Secretary General of Pharma.Aero and Co-Chair of the PLMC, emphasized the growing impact of the event, stating, "The increasing number of attendees, many of whom are high-level decision-makers in the industry, underscores the growing importance and relevance of the Pharma Logistics Masterclass. The presence of these senior professionals from global pharma companies and logistics leaders signals not only the importance of the discussions taking place but also the urgency of addressing the challenges we face. As we bring together some of the most influential voices in the sector, we are reinforcing the significance of this platform in shaping the future of pharmaceutical logistics."

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, one of the busiest cargo airports in the U.S., adds strategic significance to the event's location, further establishing North America as a growing hub for pharma logistics.

Milton De La Paz, Vice President of Airline Relations and Cargo Business Development at DFW International Airport, commented: “DFW International Airport is pleased to be the Platinum sponsor and co-host of the fourth edition of the Pharma Logistics Master Class along with BioNTX, Pegasus Park and Lyda Hill Philanthropies. This knowledge sharing event which brings together a wide range of pharma logistics professionals and business academicians, represents an excellent opportunity to showcase the North Texas region’s fast growing life science sector, and the airport’s commitment to fostering collaboration across the supply chain for the safe and efficient handling of time and temperature sensitive life-saving medicines.”

The event's academic contributions come from seven universities, making this year’s Masterclass a truly interdisciplinary experience. Participants will delve into topics like patient care, supply chain risk management, digital innovation, and crisis preparedness, all of which are critical to advancing pharmaceutical logistics on a global scale.

“The University of Texas at Arlington is proud to be an academic partner of the PharmaLogistics Masterclass, hosting the ‘Unlocking Innovation: Life Science Supply Chain Expertise in the Age of Big Data and AI’ session on Day 3,” said Dr. Andrew Hippisley, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas at Arlington. “Our faculty, Dr. Gautam Das, Dr. Ogan Gurel, Dr. Chengkai Li, Dr. Jay Michael Rosenberger, Dr. Yuan Zhou and others bring their cutting-edge expertise in industrial and systems engineering, computer science, life sciences, and data science to solve real-world challenges. By participating in seminal events like this, UT Arlington both aligns and applies its research to meet such challenges to the benefit of industry and patients worldwide.”

Dr. Brian Sauser, Professor and Chair Department of Supply Chain Management, G. Brint Ryan College of Business, University of North Texas, highlits the value of the business and academia collaboration, saying: “As the industry continues to evolve, it's crucial for supply chain leaders to be equipped with the knowledge and tools to manage all logistical facets of the pharmaceutical market. We're excited to bring together experts and participants to address challenges and foster innovation in this critical sector.”

In addition to DFW's involvement, BioNTX, a leading advocate for North Texas' life sciences industry, underscored its support for the region’s growing role in pharmaceutical innovation and logistics.

Kathleen Otto, CEO of BioNTX, warmly welcomed attendees, highlighting Dallas-Fort Worth's leadership in biopharmaceutical logistics: “We are thrilled to have you here in Dallas for this logistics masterclass, where you will experience firsthand how DFW continues to lead in innovation, service, and reliability, tailored to the unique demands of the biopharmaceutical industry.

We are a thriving hub for international trade and logistics, where DFW Airport Cargo plays a pivotal role in global supply chains and has become a key partner for the biopharmaceutical industry, enabling the efficient and safe transportation of high-value, time- and temperature-sensitive goods. We hope this will be a valuable and insightful event as you explore the logistics opportunities Dallas and DFW Cargo have to offer.”

Trevor Caswell, Chair of Pharma.Aero, emphasized the program’s growing influence:

“As we launch this edition in Dallas, we’re reminded of how crucial this platform has become for shaping the future of pharmaceutical logistics. It fosters collaboration between industry leaders and stakeholders, advancing knowledge that is vital for ensuring the reliable and safe transport of life-saving medicines.”

Prof. Dr. Wouter Dewulf, University of Antwerp, Academic director C-MAT – AMS, said, “Today marks the highly anticipated start of the Pharma Logistics Masterclass in Dallas, where we are thrilled to welcome an enthusiastic group of professionals and academics. We are especially grateful to Dallas Fort Worth Airport and BioNTX for their support, setting the stage for impactful collaboration and innovation in pharma logistics. The discussions we’ll have here will shape the future of the industry.”

This is the fourth edition of the PLMC™. Previous editions have been successfully hosted in Europe, the Middle East, and South-East Asia, with each installment addressing critical supply chain challenges in different regions. The Dallas Fort Worth edition marks another major milestone for the industry as it continues to expand its global reach.

A key supporter of the Masterclass, Etihad Cargo, has played a critical role since the program's inception. Stanislas Brun, Vice President of Cargo at Etihad, noted, “The Pharma Logistics Masterclass has become a vital platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration, benefiting not only our customers but the global pharmaceutical supply chain. We are proud to continue our involvement as the event’s fourth edition unfolds in Dallas.”