What Biotech & Pharma Logistics does

Biotech & Pharma Logistics (BPL), operating through B.P.L. GmbH in Germany and B.P.L. AG in Switzerland, is a specialist freight forwarder and logistics provider focused exclusively on GDP-compliant cold chain transport and storage for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, and medical technology industries. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Düsseldorf, BPL operates from eight German locations (Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt, Weil am Rhein, Eschbach, plus trucking operations) and a Swiss regional office in Allschwil/Basel. The company's core capability is temperature-controlled logistics spanning -196°C (liquid nitrogen / dry shipper) to +40°C (incubation), covering cryogenic, deep-frozen, frozen, refrigerated, ambient, and incubation regimes required for cell and gene therapies, mRNA platforms, vaccines, APIs, clinical trial materials, and biological specimens.

BPL's product portfolio is organized around four core offerings — Premium Courier (individual transport management for time-critical, temperature-sensitive shipments), Thermal Packaging Solutions (pre-qualified packaging systems covering -196°C to +40°C with data loggers and on-site packing), GMP Warehouse (a network of GxP-compliant, temperature-controlled storage facilities), and Quality Management (ISO 9001:2015 and EU GDP Guidelines certified systems) — supported by Air Freight, Sea Freight, AOG (Aircraft on Ground), OBC (On Board Courier), Coolchain Management, and Clinical Trials Logistics services. The technical stack consists of GDP-qualified vehicles tested to DIN SPEC 91323, active and passive thermal containers with real-time GPS tracking, validated ERP-based documentation, and IATA CEIV Pharma-certified air freight handling. BPL is a founding member of the Pharma Logistics Network (PLN), described as the world's only "Gold Standard" logistics network for pharmaceutical forwarders, which extends its reach through qualified partner forwarders globally.

The business model is enterprise B2B freight forwarding and contract logistics priced on a quote basis, with rates driven by shipment weight, dimensions, temperature regime, urgency, mode (air/sea/road), and destination. Revenue streams span professional services (premium courier, air freight, sea freight, OBC, AOG) and managed services (GMP warehousing). BPL is the exclusive German partner of the AOG Freight 247 Network for time-critical aerospace logistics, holds long-standing partnership status with Lufthansa Cargo at the Frankfurt Pharma Hub, and in January 2025 was acquired by UPS Healthcare alongside Frigo-Trans as part of UPS's $1.6 billion healthcare logistics expansion. Operating segments are vertical-specific (pharma, biotech, life sciences, medtech, aerospace) with no disclosed end-customer logos; pricing is not publicly disclosed and contracts operate under ADSp 2017 terms.

Name

Biotech & Pharma Logistics

Legal name

B.P.L. GmbH

Website

https://bplogistics.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BPL is a Germany- and Switzerland-based specialist freight forwarder providing GDP-compliant cold chain logistics, thermal packaging, and GMP warehousing for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, and medical technology companies across temperature ranges from -196°C to +40°C.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Cold Chain Logistics

NAICS

Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage (49312)

SIC

Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)

akta.pro primary industry

Pharmaceutical & Biopharma Cold Chain Logistics (2–8°C, CRT, GDP) (TLAIAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pharma & Life Sciences Cold Chain Forwarding (GDP-Compliant) (TLACAMAD), Pharma & Life Sciences Cold Chain Transport (GDP) (TLADAHAI), Pharmaceutical Cold-Chain Delivery (2–8°C / CRT) (TLAAAJAC), Pharmaceutical Cold Chain & Temperature-Controlled Distribution (CRAOAHAH)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical cold chain logistics
• GDP-compliant transport services
• Temperature-controlled freight forwarding
• Clinical trial logistics
• Pharmaceutical warehousing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Düsseldorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Premium Courier Services: Individual transport management for GDP-compliant shipping of time-critical and temperature-sensitive products including clinical trials, diagnostics, biological specimens, and pharmaceutical products. Revenue generated through freight charges based on shipment characteristics, urgency, and temperature requirements.
2. Air Freight: International airfreight logistics services including direct shipments, consolidation, full/partial charter, sea/air solutions, door-to-door service, customs clearance, dangerous goods handling, and refrigerated containers. Revenue generated through volumetric weight-based air freight charges.
3. Sea Freight: Global sea freight services including LCL (Less Than Container Load), FCL (Full Container Load), and Break Bulk solutions for large or heavy consignments. Revenue generated through container/weight-based shipping charges.
4. AOG (Aircraft on Ground) Services: Time-critical aviation parts transportation with 24/7 availability for aerospace industry. Services include Next Flight Out, engine/airframe transport, heavy/oversized/haz-mat transport, and customs brokerage. Revenue generated through urgent freight charges.
5. On Board Courier (OBC): Hand-carry courier service where a courier personally accompanies shipments from pickup to delivery for time-critical and high-value goods. Available 24/7 for urgent transportation of medical supplies, spare parts, documents, and valuable items. Revenue generated through premium courier service fees.
6. GMP Warehouse & Storage: GxP-compliant temperature-controlled storage facilities for pharmaceutical raw materials, finished products, clinical trial materials, diagnostics, narcotics, vaccines, and medical devices. Services include consignment storage, station deliveries, desk-to-desk service, and ERP software-based documentation. Revenue generated through warehouse storage fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

BPL provides GDP-compliant cold chain logistics services for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, and medical technology industries. Its offerings include premium courier services, thermal packaging solutions, GxP-compliant temperature-controlled warehousing, and supporting air, sea, and road freight services for time-critical and temperature-sensitive products spanning temperature ranges from -196°C to +40°C. The company operates across Germany, Switzerland, and globally via the Pharma Logistics Network partner network.

Product overview

BPL (Biotech & Pharma Logistics) operates as a global premium courier and logistics provider specializing in GDP-compliant temperature-controlled transport for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. The portfolio consists of four core offerings: Premium Courier (transport management for time-critical, temperature-sensitive products), Thermal Packaging Solutions (pre-qualified packaging systems covering -196°C to +40°C), GMP Warehouse (GxP-compliant temperature-controlled storage), and Quality Management (GDP/ISO 9001 certified compliance systems). These are supported by specialized services including Air Freight, Sea Freight, AOG (Aircraft on Ground) logistics, OBC (On Board Courier), Coolchain Management, and Clinical Trials Logistics. The company also maintains memberships in the Pharma Logistics Network (PLN) and AOG Freight 247 Network for global reach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Premium Courier GDP-compliant transport management service for time-critical and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products, offering individual transport management with customs and regulatory formalities handling for pharmaceutical, biotech, and life sciences customers.
• Thermal Packaging Solutions Pre-qualified thermal packaging and temperature-controlled container solutions covering temperature ranges from -196°C to +40°C, including preconditioning, data loggers, and on-site packing services for pharmaceutical and biotech customers.
• GMP Warehouse Network of temperature-controlled, GxP-compliant storage facilities providing validated logistics management for medicinal products, study materials, diagnostics, drugs, vaccines, and medical technology products for pharmaceutical and biotech customers.
• Quality Management Quality assurance and compliance services maintaining GDP and ISO 9001:2015 standards for pharmaceutical logistics, with continuous quality improvement systems and validation support for pharma and biotech customers.
• Air Freight International airfreight logistics service with relationships with major airlines, handling direct shipments, consolidations, charter services, and temperature-controlled refrigerated containers for pharma, biotech, and aerospace customers.
• Sea Freight Global sea freight services including LCL (Less Than Container Load), FCL (Full Container Load), and Break Bulk solutions for large or heavy consignments of pharmaceutical and medical technology products.
• AOG – Aircraft on Ground Round-the-clock aviation logistics service for time-critical transportation of aircraft parts and materials, available 24/7/365 for AOG situations for airlines and aerospace customers.
• OBC – On Board Courier Hand-carry courier service where a courier personally accompanies shipments from pickup to delivery, handling customs clearance and transport permits for urgent, sensitive goods for pharmaceutical and aerospace customers.
• Clinical Trials Logistics Specialized logistics for clinical study materials with individual risk assessments, temperature ranges from -196°C to +40°C, and dry ice replenishment during transit for biotech and pharmaceutical customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• GDP-trained BPL drivers deliver COVID-19 vaccines 7 days per week to hospitals, nursing homes and vaccination centers
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Frigo-TranscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 August 2024BPL and Frigo-Trans co-sponsored the European Biomanufacturing Summit 2024 in Berlin. Both companies are part of the same corporate group following UPS's acquisition of Frigo-Trans and BPL in January 2025. The partnership enables BPL to offer combined logistics solutions ensuring highest standards of product integrity and security in the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Swiss AirtainerminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 April 2023BPL collaborated with Swiss Airtainer and Swiss WorldCargo on a project that resulted in the first lightweight active container maiden flight. This innovative development in cold chain logistics enables transportation of life-saving medicine with reduced environmental impact. BPL is at the forefront of this sustainable innovation in temperature-controlled airfreight.
• Swiss WorldCargominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 April 2023Collaboration with Swiss WorldCargo and Swiss Airtainer resulted in first lightweight active container maiden flight. BPL's Swiss team works with Swiss WorldCargo to redefine possibilities of cold chain logistics through innovative active container solutions.
• Düsseldorf Airport Cargo Center (DACC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2022BPL works with DACC for pharmaceutical logistics at Düsseldorf Airport. The DUS Pharma warehouse features newly purchased 'Cool Dollies' to avoid temperature deviations on tarmac. BPL participated in BioRiver Member Forum at DACC to gain insights into handling temperature-sensitive airfreight.
• BioRNminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 April 2021BPL joined BioRN, the life sciences and industry cluster of the Rhine-Main-Neckar region, one of the most innovative regions for medical progress in Germany. BPL's regional sites in Frankfurt and Freiburg provide GDP-expertise for worldwide temperature-controlled distribution and storage of biologics, APIs, finished products, vaccines, and IMPs. BioRN membership provides networking opportunities within the life sciences ecosystem.
• Pharma Logistics Network (PLN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBPL is a founding member of Pharma Logistics Network, described as the world's only 'Gold Standard' logistics network for pharmaceutical forwarders. The network was established by industry professionals to meet the growing need for a professional global association of specialist forwarders with proven expertise, exceptional quality standards, and rigorous qualification processes. PLN enables BPL to collect shipments worldwide and provide consistent quality-assured service through approved and qualified partners.
• AOG Freight 247 NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBPL Germany is the exclusive partner of the AOG Freight 247 Network in Germany. This unique specialist collaboration enables BPL to provide fast, consistent, and high-quality AOG (Aircraft on Ground) services worldwide. The network is an international collective of companies specializing in time-critical logistics for the aerospace industry.
• Lufthansa CargocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLufthansa Cargo is described as a valued partner of BPL from the beginning of BPL's business. Lufthansa Pharma Hub at Frankfurt is the largest temperature-sensitive goods handling facility in Europe. BPL Managing Director Nils Krämer attended Lufthansa Cargo's 10-year anniversary celebrations, demonstrating long-standing partnership and shared journey of cooperation.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Marken (UPS Healthcare): UPS Healthcare's global life sciences logistics arm offering clinical trial supply chain solutions, GMP-compliant storage, and time-critical pharma transport. Now a corporate sibling to BPL within UPS Healthcare, directly comparable on time-critical and temperature-sensitive pharma courier services.
• World Courier: A Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen) subsidiary providing global specialty logistics for pharma and biotech, including time-critical and temperature-controlled transport. Comparable on premium courier positioning and clinical trial material handling.
• Eurotranspharma: France-headquartered pharmaceutical logistics specialist providing temperature-controlled road transport and warehousing across Europe with GDP compliance. Closely comparable niche positioning in European pharma cold chain distribution.
• Trans-o-Flex (MediLogistik): German specialist for temperature-controlled pharma distribution and transport, including GDP-compliant services across Germany and Europe. Comparable as a German-based specialist competing for the same pharma shipper customers.
• Frigo-Trans: Sister company of BPL, both acquired by UPS Healthcare in January 2025. Frigo-Trans provides pan-European temperature-controlled pharma road transportation and warehousing, making it the closest direct peer in cold chain logistics scale, customer base, and service mix.

Broad incumbents

• FedEx Custom Critical: FedEx's time-critical and temperature-sensitive freight arm providing urgent, high-value shipment services including life sciences and pharma. Comparable on time-critical service positioning but at much larger corporate scale.
• DHL Supply Chain (Life Sciences & Healthcare): DHL's Life Sciences division provides end-to-end pharma logistics including GDP-compliant warehousing, temperature-controlled transport, and clinical trial supply chain management. A broad incumbent with substantially larger scale and global infrastructure than BPL.
• Kuehne+Nagel (KN PharmaChain): Global 3PL with a dedicated pharma and healthcare logistics unit (KN PharmaChain) covering GDP/GxP-compliant air, sea, and road freight, plus cold chain warehousing. A larger incumbent offering broader scale and global reach than BPL, with overlapping service portfolio.
• CEVA Logistics (CMA CGM Healthcare): CMA CGM-owned global 3PL with a dedicated Healthcare division offering temperature-controlled pharma logistics including GDP/GxP-compliant warehousing and transportation across multiple geographies.
• DSV Pharma: Pharma-focused arm of DSV offering GDP-compliant air, sea, and road freight, with growing cold chain capability following the GIL acquisition. Comparable in cold chain forwarding but operates at materially larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xxing.com/companies/b.p.l.gmbh
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/bpl-biotech-&-pharma-logistics

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Biotech & Pharma Logistics