A new test programme is putting air cargo systems under scrutiny as industry partners work towards a standardised approach for transporting precision therapies across international borders.

The movement of precision therapies by air has taken a significant step forward, following the successful completion of initial test shipments from Brussels Airport to Dallas in the United States.

The shipments form part of the Precision Therapy Logistics Gateway (PTLG) project, an initiative designed to assess how highly sensitive cell and blood materials can be transported safely, rapidly and reliably across international borders.

Representing next-generation treatments for cancer and rare diseases, the consignments mark an early milestone in what partners hope will become a globally recognised logistics framework for precision therapies.

Since November 10, 2025, representative cell and blood samples have been flown from Brussels to BioLabs Pegasus Park, a biotechnology cluster in Dallas. The initial movements were completed successfully, with a further 50 test shipments scheduled to expand the dataset and validate repeatability.

Precision therapies – including cell, gene and radioligand treatments – are tailored to individual patients and demand tightly controlled logistics conditions. Temperature stability, speed and traceability are critical, with even minor deviations risking the integrity of the material.

The PTLG project is therefore focused on identifying vulnerabilities in existing logistics processes and assessing how air cargo infrastructure can be adapted to meet these requirements at scale.

The test shipments are being coordinated by at.las, the Antwerp ecosystem for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP), together with the Science Park University of Antwerp in Niel.

Research samples are provided by the Laboratory of Experimental Haematology at the University of Antwerp, sourced from healthy donors. The material is transported from the Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine at Antwerp University Hospital to Brussels Airport, before being returned to the same facility following laboratory inspection in Dallas.

For Brussels Airport, the project builds on its established position as a major European pharma hub. The airport currently offers around 45,000 sqm of temperature-controlled storage space within its cargo area and has extensive experience handling time- and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products.

Upon arrival at the airport, the shipments undergo customs clearance before being stored in a controlled-temperature zone ahead of departure. They are then transferred to refrigerated containers developed by Brussels Airport a decade ago, designed to maintain stable conditions throughout the flight.

On arrival in Dallas, the consignments are transported to laboratory facilities at BioLabs Pegasus Park for inspection, before being shipped back to Belgium.

The model relies on small consignments transported as cargo on board passenger flights – an approach that removes the need for patients to travel themselves. Instead, their cellular material moves through the logistics chain, significantly improving access to advanced therapies.

“With this project, we are strengthening our role as a pioneer in pharma logistics, not only in Europe but worldwide,” explains Arnaud Feist, chief executive of Brussels Airport. “The production and use of precision therapies in Belgium will increase significantly in the coming years. This calls for a logistics approach in which speed, accuracy and reliability are essential.

“Together with our partners, we are putting our expertise at the service of this important innovation to contribute to the healthcare of the future.”

To support the development of a future standard, sensors are embedded within each shipment to track key parameters such as temperature stability, lead times and traceability throughout the end-to-end process. This data will be used to identify bottlenecks and risks across the logistics chain.

Results from the test phase are expected in the first half of 2026. Based on these findings, project partners – led by Air Cargo Belgium – aim to develop the first internationally recognised standardised protocol for transporting precision therapies by air.

In parallel, Brussels Airport is assessing the potential need for a dedicated logistics centre within its cargo area to support future volumes.

Launched in early 2025, the PTLG project brings together Brussels Airport, Pharma.Aero, Air Cargo Belgium and the Antwerp ATMP ecosystem at.las. The initiative is co-funded by the province of Antwerp and the province of Flemish Brabant, reflecting growing public-sector support for research into secure, standardised logistics solutions for next-generation medical treatments.