Frontier Scientific Solutions to build global logistics facility in Wilmington
A new temperature-controlled logistics facility planned for Wilmington is designed to speed safe delivery of life sciences products between the United States and Europe.
In an announcement Wednesday at Wilmington International Airport, Frontier Scientific Solutions said it would build the global logistics center for time- and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products, along with a companion facility in Ireland. GID, a Boston-based privately held commercial real estate company, will lead the development of the two facilities in a total investment valued at $1.5 billion.
“Our initiative disrupts the life science supply chain market – promoting zero product losses, increasing sustainability, and directly saving lives – and it marks the first step in Frontier’s goal to become the market-leading solutions provider,” Fronter CEO Steve Uebele said in a news release.
including 26,000 square feet of office space.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers depend on logistics companies such as Wilmington-based Frontier to safely manage drugs and other life sciences products. That often involves cold storage – as low as 80 degrees below zero Celsius – as well as detailed documentation of how the products have been handled, stored and transported for regulatory purposes.
With the new centers in Wilmington and Shannon Airport in County Clare, Ireland, Frontier Scientific plans to create a global logistics route intended to reduce both the time and the number of touchpoints needed to ship life sciences products. Frontier cited its location at the Wilmington airport’s business park, as well as proximity to the North Carolina port of Wilmington and two-hour drive to Research Triangle Park, as reasons for locating in Wilmington.
Both the Wilmington and Ireland facilities will be built to Current Good Manufacturing Processes (cGMP) and designated as Free Trade Zones, Frontier said.
“The new facilities in Wilmington and Shannon will create an unparalleled logistics network between the U.S. and Europe, empowering companies to deliver critical healthcare products with unmatched speed and precision,” Greg Bates, president and CEO of GID, said in the news release.
The announcement represents an expansion in Wilmington for Frontier Scientific, which operates existing facilities at the Wilmington International Airport Business Park and on North 23rd Street.
Wilmington, New Hanover County and state officials were on hand Wednesday for the announcement.
“Cold storage and delivery are critical for cell and gene therapies, immunotherapies, vaccines and more. As these novel therapies are developed and manufactured in North Carolina, the safe storage and precise, speedy delivery of these drug products is a critical link in helping patients with debilitating diseases,” said Doug Edgeton, president and CEO of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. “And this new flight provides increased access to these therapies to international markets, positioning North Carolina to continue to be a leading life sciences hub with global impact. Today’s developments address our current market needs and set us on a path for continued growth in the Southeastern region and across the state.”