Groundbreaking Project Tests Safe Air Transport of Precision Therapies

A new project is testing how to safely transport highly sensitive cell and blood materials across borders. Since 10 November 2025, test shipments have flown from Brussels to Dallas as part of the Precision Therapy Logistics Gateway (PTLG). The goal is to create a reliable system for moving precision therapies by air without compromising their quality.

Brussels Airport, known for handling temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, is leading the trial. Small consignments of representative cell and blood samples are being sent as cargo on passenger flights, eliminating the need for patients to travel. Upon landing in Dallas, the samples are taken to BioLabs Pegasus Park for inspection before being returned to Belgium.

The PTLG project focuses on identifying weaknesses in current logistics chains. Speed, temperature control, and traceability are critical for precision therapies, which require strict handling conditions. Over 50 test shipments are planned by the end of 2025, though exact numbers and specific Dallas labs involved remain undisclosed.

Results from this phase will be analysed in early 2026. The project's partners aim to establish the first internationally standardised protocol for air transport of precision therapies, ensuring consistency and safety at scale.

The initial shipments mark a key step toward a global logistics framework for precision medicine. If successful, the standardised protocol could transform how these therapies are transported worldwide. The findings will determine whether the system meets the strict demands of time-sensitive, temperature-controlled medical cargo.