Clinical Trials Supply & Logistics Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Service (Logistics & Distribution; Storage & Retention; Packaging, Labeling, & Blinding; Manufacturing; Comparator Sourcing; Others), By Phase (Phase 0, Phase I, Phase II, Phase III), By Therapeutic Area (Oncology, Cardiovascular Diseases, Neurological Disorders, Others), By End User Industry (Pharmaceutical v/s Medical Devices), By Company and By Region 2020-2030F

Market Overview

The Global Clinical Trials Supply & Logistics Market was valued at USD 4.71 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 7.04 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 6.88% during the forecast period.  The global clinical trials supply and logistics market has entered a phase of sustained expansion, driven by rising R&D spend across pharma and biotech, the complexity of modern therapeutic modalities, and a structural shift toward patient-centric, decentralized trial designs. Growth drivers are visible and structural. First, the surge in biologics, cell & gene therapies, and other temperature-sensitive products has increased demand for specialized cold-chain handling, validated packaging, and real-time monitoring. Second, decentralized and direct-to-patient trial models are reshaping distribution flows: sponsors are moving away from one centralized depot model to many smaller, patient-proximate shipments, increasing logistics complexity but improving patient recruitment and retention. Third, geographic diversification of trials — including strong growth in Asia — is increasing cross-border shipments, customs interactions, and localization needs. According to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), PhRMA affiliates have invested considerably in drug development efforts.

Technology and digitization are becoming competitive differentiators. Sponsors and clinical supply partners increasingly adopt IoT-enabled temperature sensors, blockchain or distributed ledgers for chain-of-custody records, and advanced forecasting tools that link trial enrollment and dosing schedules to inventory management. These technologies reduce waste, improve regulatory traceability and support real-time decision-making during product recalls or temperature excursions — all critical when working with short shelf-life biologics or radioligand products.

Key Market Drivers

Rising Volume of Clinical Trials

The global clinical trials supply and logistics market is experiencing robust growth, fueled by the increasing number of clinical trials worldwide. As pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies accelerate drug development pipelines, the demand for specialized supply chain solutions has intensified. The expansion of clinical research across therapeutic areas, including oncology, rare diseases, and infectious diseases, is creating a greater need for efficient and reliable logistics services to ensure the timely delivery of investigational products and ancillary materials.  For instance, according to WHO, around 422 million people around the world have diabetes

A key factor driving this trend is the globalization of clinical trials. Companies are increasingly conducting multi-regional studies to access diverse patient populations and meet regulatory requirements in multiple geographies. This expansion adds complexity to trial management and strengthens the demand for advanced logistics networks capable of handling temperature-sensitive drugs, biological samples, and personalized medicines. The growing prevalence of decentralized and virtual trials further amplifies the need for agile, technology-enabled supply solutions.

Moreover, the rising number of trials involving biologics, cell and gene therapies, and precision medicines requires highly controlled supply chains. According to the WHO, more than 80 vaccines are presently being analyzed in clinical trials, with over 180 in the pre-clinical stage. Cold chain logistics, real-time monitoring, and risk-mitigation strategies have become essential for safeguarding product integrity. Logistics providers are investing in digital tracking, automation, and data-driven platforms to enhance visibility, optimize inventory, and ensure regulatory compliance throughout the trial lifecycle.

As clinical trial activity continues to surge globally, the supply and logistics sector is becoming a critical enabler of successful drug development. Companies that can deliver innovative, flexible, and compliant logistics solutions are well-positioned to capture growth opportunities in this expanding market.

Growing Demand for Cold Chain Logistics

The Global Clinical Trials Supply & Logistics Market is witnessing significant growth, largely driven by the increasing demand for cold chain logistics. As clinical research expands globally, the transportation and storage of temperature-sensitive drugs, biologics, and advanced therapies have become a critical factor in ensuring trial success. Cold chain solutions are essential for maintaining the integrity and stability of investigational products, particularly with the rising adoption of biologics, cell therapies, and vaccines that require stringent temperature control.

Pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations (CROs) are placing a stronger emphasis on robust cold chain infrastructure to minimize risks of product degradation and regulatory non-compliance. The growing complexity of clinical trials, with multi-country studies and personalized medicine approaches, further increases the need for precise, reliable, and compliant temperature-controlled logistics. This is fostering investments in advanced technologies such as real-time temperature monitoring, specialized packaging, and digital supply chain management tools.

Additionally, the global expansion of clinical trials into emerging markets has amplified the demand for efficient cold chain networks capable of handling longer transit routes and diverse regulatory requirements. Logistics providers are enhancing their service offerings to meet these demands, integrating automation, IoT, and AI-powered tracking systems to ensure product safety and transparency. The rising reliance on cold chain logistics is not only supporting the operational efficiency of clinical trials but also shaping the future of the global clinical trials supply and logistics market by driving innovation, compliance, and patient safety.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

Temperature control and cold-chain reliability

Temperature control and cold-chain reliability remain material risk areas. The rising share of biologics and mRNA-based therapies requires rigorous temperature monitoring, validated packaging, and fast contingency responses for excursions. Investing in qualified temperature-controlled carriers, validated shippers, and continuous telemetry is expensive, and failures — even short-term — can lead to lost data, wasted product and regulatory scrutiny. Many smaller sites and nascent CROs struggle to meet these standards consistently.

Key Market Trends

Technological Advancements

Rising technological advancements are significantly transforming the Global Clinical Trials Supply and Logistics Market, enabling faster, more efficient, and highly secure management of clinical trial processes. The complexity of modern clinical trials, often spanning multiple geographies and requiring tailored logistics solutions, has intensified the need for advanced technologies that streamline supply chains, ensure compliance, and improve patient outcomes. Innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and cloud-based platforms are increasingly being integrated into trial management to optimize forecasting, enhance transparency, and reduce operational inefficiencies. For instance, in South Korea, Asan Medical Center (AMC) has developed a new system, capable of handling clinical trial image data from group to extraction.

One of the key technological drivers is the growing use of digital supply chain management platforms that provide real-time visibility into the movement of trial materials. These platforms help stakeholders monitor drug availability, track temperature-sensitive biologics, and ensure on-time delivery, thereby reducing the risk of delays and non-compliance. Additionally, blockchain technology is gaining traction for its ability to maintain immutable and transparent records, ensuring data integrity across global sites. This strengthens regulatory compliance and builds trust among sponsors, regulators, and patients.

The adoption of advanced cold chain technologies is also reshaping the logistics landscape, particularly as trials increasingly involve biologics, vaccines, and cell and gene therapies that require stringent temperature control. IoT-enabled sensors and smart packaging solutions are being deployed to provide end-to-end monitoring of sensitive products. These technologies not only safeguard drug quality but also lower the risk of costly trial disruptions due to compromised materials.

Furthermore, the rise of decentralized and hybrid clinical trials has amplified the demand for innovative supply and logistics solutions. Technologies supporting direct-to-patient (DTP) delivery models, remote monitoring, and digital tracking are making trials more patient-centric while ensuring efficiency in supply distribution. Logistics providers are leveraging predictive analytics to forecast demand and align distribution networks with patient needs across diverse geographies. Technological advancements are acting as a catalyst for growth in the Global Clinical Trials Supply and Logistics Market. By integrating AI, IoT, blockchain, and advanced cold chain systems, the industry is addressing the challenges of complexity, scale, and compliance while paving the way for faster and more reliable clinical development. This technological transformation not only enhances efficiency but also strengthens the resilience of the global clinical trial ecosystem.

Segmental Insights

Service Insights

Based on the service, the Storage & Retention segment has emerged as the fastest-growing segment in the Global Clinical Trials Supply & Logistics Market in 2024, due to the increasing complexity of clinical studies and the growing demand for secure long-term storage of investigational drugs, biologics, and trial-related samples. With the rise of biologics, cell and gene therapies, and personalized medicines, there is a heightened need for specialized temperature-controlled facilities that ensure product integrity across extended trial durations. Additionally, regulatory requirements mandate strict compliance for data and sample retention, driving sponsors and CROs to rely on advanced storage solutions. The expansion of multinational trials further boosts the demand for decentralized and region-specific storage hubs, making this segment a critical enabler of trial continuity and reliability.

Phase Insights

Based on Phase, the Phase III segment has emerged as the fastest-growing segment in the Global Clinical Trials Supply & Logistics Market in 2024 due to the increasing number of late-stage clinical trials across therapeutic areas such as oncology, rare diseases, and chronic disorders. Phase III trials typically involve large patient populations spread across multiple geographies, which significantly increases the demand for sophisticated supply chain management, including cold chain logistics, comparator sourcing, and real-time tracking solutions. Moreover, the high cost and complexity of Phase III studies, coupled with the growing emphasis on global regulatory compliance, are driving pharmaceutical companies and CROs to rely on specialized logistics providers to ensure seamless trial execution. This rising demand for reliable, scalable, and compliant supply solutions is fueling the rapid growth of the Phase III segment.

Top of Form

Download Free Sample Report

Regional Insights

North America emerged as the largest region in the Global Clinical Trials Supply & Logistics Market in 2024, due to its well-established pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, coupled with high levels of research and development (R&D) investments. The region hosts a large number of clinical trials, supported by advanced healthcare infrastructure, favorable regulatory frameworks, and strong government and private sector funding. Additionally, the growing demand for personalized medicine and biologics has increased the complexity of supply chains, driving the need for sophisticated logistics solutions. The presence of leading logistics providers and cold-chain specialists further strengthens North America’s dominance in this market.

Recent Development

• In July 2024, the Duchossois Family Institute at the University of Chicago inaugurated a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the production of clinical-grade microbiome therapeutics. The facility is designed to cultivate, freeze-dry, and encapsulate live bacteria into capsules, enabling their safe administration to patients participating in clinical trials.
• In June 2024, Bay Area Research Logistics (BARL) inaugurated a new depot in New York State. The facility is designed to enhance client support, improve the efficiency of global clinical trial operations, and position the company for future growth.
• In June 2024, Thermo Fisher Scientific inaugurated a new ultra-cold facility in Bleiswijk, Netherlands. The cGMP-compliant site is designed to support cell and gene therapies, biologics, antibodies, and vaccines, thereby strengthening its contract manufacturing and specialty logistics services. The facility also provides biorepository solutions and critical material storage, serving biotech and pharmaceutical companies across all clinical trial phases.
• In March 2024, Myonex completed the acquisition of Creapharm’s Clinical Packaging & Distribution, Commercial Packaging, and Bioservices divisions, further expanding its global footprint. This strategic acquisition enhances Myonex’s capabilities in clinical packaging, labeling, and distribution, while Creapharm brings additional expertise in commercial packaging and ATMP supply chain management. The transaction reinforces both companies’ market positions in the clinical trial supply and logistics sector.

Key Market Players

• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Patheon)
• Catalent, Inc.
• United Parcel Service (Marken)
• PARAXEL International Corporation
• Almac Group
• Piramal Pharma Solutions (Piramal Group)
• UDG Healthcare, plc
• DHL International Limited
• Packaging Coordinators Inc.
• Walden Group SAS (Movianto)

Report Scope:

In this report, global clinical trials supply & logistics market has been segmented into following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

·         Clinical Trials Supply & Logistics Market, By Service:

• Logistics & Distribution
• Storage & Retention
• Packaging
• Labeling & Blinding
• Manufacturing
• Comparator Sourcing
• Others

·         Clinical Trials Supply & Logistics Market, By Phase:

• Phase 0
• Phase I
• Phase II
• Phase III

·         Clinical Trials Supply & Logistics Market, By Therapeutic Area:

• Oncology
• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Neurological Disorders
• Others

·         Clinical Trials Supply & Logistics Market, By End User Industry:

• Pharmaceutical
• Medical Devices

·         Clinical Trials Supply & Logistics Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Asia-Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• Europe & CIS
• Germany
• France
• United Kingdom
• Spain
• Italy
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa

o   South Africa

o   Saudi Arabia

o   UAE

o   Turkey

o   Egypt

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in Global Clinical Trials Supply & Logistics Market

Available Customizations:

With the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company’s specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

Clinical Trials Supply & Logistics Market is an upcoming report to be released soon. If you wish an early delivery of this report or want to confirm the date of release, please contact us at [email protected]