Biopharmaceutical Third-party Logistics Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, & Forecast Segmented By Supply Chain, By Service Type, By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

The Global Biopharmaceutical Third-party Logistics Market is projected to expand from USD 136.36 Billion in 2025 to USD 203.38 Billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 6.89%. This sector is defined by the specialized outsourcing of supply chain management tasks, such as warehousing, inventory oversight, and temperature-controlled transportation, tailored specifically for biologic medicines originating from living organisms. Key factors driving this growth include the critical need for precise cold-chain management to maintain the efficacy of sensitive, high-value biologics, alongside the strategic push for manufacturers to minimize capital spending on non-core logistical assets. Furthermore, the rising globalization of pharmaceutical trade demands resilient distribution networks that can effectively manage complex, cross-border transit routes.

According to the Healthcare Distribution Alliance, pharmaceutical distributors in the United States achieved $862 billion in sales during 2024, marking a 10.4 percent rise from the previous year. This significant growth highlights the increasing dependence on intermediary logistics providers within the healthcare system. Despite this positive trend, the market encounters a major obstacle due to infrastructural inconsistencies in emerging regions, where unreliable cold-chain facilities threaten product integrity and hinder seamless market expansion.

Market Driver

The surge in biologics and biosimilars acts as a primary market catalyst, creating a demand for high-precision supply chain solutions that exceed the capabilities of traditional logistics networks. As pharmaceutical developers transition from chemically synthesized small molecules to large-molecule therapies, there has been a significant rise in the volume of temperature-sensitive products requiring strict chain-of-custody protocols. This operational evolution compels manufacturers to outsource to third-party logistics (3PL) providers equipped with the scalable infrastructure and regulatory certifications necessary to manage growing biologic throughput without sacrificing quality. The magnitude of this shift is highlighted by Novo Nordisk's 'Annual Report 2024' from February 2025, which noted that sales in its Diabetes and Obesity care segments-areas heavily dependent on temperature-controlled distribution-rose by 26% to DKK 271.8 billion, underscoring the need for specialized partners to handle complex inventory at scale.

Concurrently, the rising demand for cold chain logistics forces the industry to utilize specialized third-party services to manage the risks inherent in global temperature-controlled transport. The difficulty of maintaining specific temperature ranges, such as 2°C to 8°C or deep-frozen cryogenic levels during cross-border shipping, leads manufacturers to collaborate with logistics integrators who can guarantee product integrity from start to finish. According to the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) 'Air Cargo Market Analysis' from January 2025, global air cargo demand-a vital channel for time-sensitive pharmaceuticals-grew by 11.3% in 2024, surpassing prior records. This dependence on specialized intermediaries is further evidenced by DHL Group, which reported in 2025 that its Life Sciences & Healthcare unit generated roughly €5 billion in revenue during the 2024 fiscal year, emphasizing the essential role of outsourced logistics in the global supply chain.

Market Challenge

A major obstacle hindering the Global Biopharmaceutical Third-party Logistics Market is the significant lack of robust infrastructure in emerging regions. Since biologics demand strict temperature adherence, the inconsistent electricity supply, inadequate specialized warehousing, and fragmented last-mile delivery networks found in many developing markets present serious issues. This infrastructural deficit directly impedes market growth, as even minor temperature deviations during transit can render high-value biologic shipments unsafe or ineffective. As a result, logistics providers encounter increased liability risks and operational inefficiencies in these territories, often forcing manufacturers to restrict their distribution to regions with established capabilities.

This logistical strain is intensified by the growing volume of goods requiring air transit, a key mode for transporting sensitive pharmaceuticals. Data from the International Air Transport Association in 2025 reveals that global air cargo demand rose by 11.3 percent throughout 2024 compared to the prior year. This rapid increase in cargo volume exerts immense pressure on the already fragile supply chains within emerging markets. When inconsistent local infrastructure fails to handle this increased throughput under rigorous cold-chain conditions, the industry faces severe bottlenecks that limit revenue potential and delay the delivery of essential therapies.

Market Trends

The growth of Direct-to-Patient (DTP) Clinical Trial Distribution is transforming the logistics sector by decentralizing supply chains to deliver investigational medicinal products directly to participants' homes. This moves away from traditional site-based models, requiring logistics providers to establish high-touch, last-mile solutions that guarantee strict chain-of-custody and temperature control for individual deliveries. The demand for such specialized services is generating substantial revenue for major integrators investing in healthcare-specific networks. As reported by Transport Topics in January 2025, FedEx Corp. secured healthcare contracts yielding over $500 million in revenue during the 2024 fiscal year, illustrating the rising commercial value of these complex logistics operations.

Simultaneously, the adoption of Sustainable Green Logistics and Packaging is becoming a vital operational standard as pharmaceutical companies aim to lower their Scope 3 emissions. Logistics providers are increasingly utilizing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and reusable thermal packaging systems to reduce the carbon footprint linked to energy-intensive cold chain transport. These collaborative decarbonization efforts are producing measurable environmental advantages for the industry. According to an April 2025 report from Boehringer Ingelheim, the company's collaboration with Kuehne+Nagel to use SAF for pharmaceutical air freight led to a reduction of roughly 8,000 tons of CO2 emissions in a single year, showcasing the tangible impact of green initiatives on the global supply chain.

Key Market Players

• DHL International GmbH.
• SF Express Co.
• United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
• AmerisourceBergen Corporation
• DB Schenker
• Kuehne and Nagel AG
• Kerry Logistics Network Ltd.
• Agility Co

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Biopharmaceutical Third-party Logistics Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

Biopharmaceutical Third-party Logistics Market, By Supply Chain

• Cold Chain
• Non-cold Chain

Biopharmaceutical Third-party Logistics Market, By Service Type

• Transportation
• Warehousing & Storage
• Other

Biopharmaceutical Third-party Logistics Market, By Region

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

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Biopharmaceutical Third-party Logistics Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Biopharmaceutical Third-party Logistics Market report 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).