Specialty & Cold Chain Logistics
From cryogenic cell therapies to ambient pharmaceutical shipments, Mercury manages the full spectrum of temperature-sensitive logistics with GDP-certified handling and real-time visibility on every lane.
Cold Chain Logistics for Life Sciences
Mercury manages cold chain shipping for pharmaceutical manufacturers, biotech companies, clinical research organizations, and hospital networks. Every shipment operates under GDP-certified protocols, with a dedicated team monitoring temperature and location in real time from pickup through final delivery.
When Temperature Failure Is Not an Option
A temperature excursion on a cell therapy dose, a clinical trial batch, or a patient-specific biologic does not result in a delayed shipment. It results in a destroyed product, a failed study, or a patient without treatment. The stakes require a logistics partner that treats every shipment as irreplaceable.
Mercury's dedicated squad model assigns a specific team to every shipment. That team monitors conditions throughout transit, responds to alerts without routing through a general call center, and stays available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays. Mercury has maintained a 99.6% success rate in full temperature control across its cold chain portfolio, with a median transit duration of 2.77 days.
A Service for Every Temperature Profile
Cold chain is not a single service. Products move at cryogenic temperatures, frozen, refrigerated, or ambient controlled conditions. Each requires its own approach to packaging, routing, and documentation. Mercury provides purpose-built services across the full spectrum.
Select the service that matches your temperature profile and product requirements below.
Packaging Chosen for the Lane
Mercury is packaging-agnostic. We work with validated thermal shippers from CCT, Peli, Tower, cSafe, and other leading manufacturers, selecting the right system for each specific lane based on transit duration, temperature range, and product requirements.
Route pre-planning incorporates dry ice and coolant replenishment availability at each transit point. Contingency is built into the plan before the shipment moves, not improvised when a delay occurs at a transfer hub or customs checkpoint.
For guidance on coolant options and validated shipper specifications, see our cold chain supplies page.
Visibility From Pickup to Delivery
Clients access live temperature and GPS data through the Mercury platform throughout transit. Every delivery generates a complete temperature record with calibrated sensor data, chain-of-custody documentation, and customs paperwork that holds up to quality review.
Our GDP and ISO 9001:2015 certifications govern the processes, training, and documentation practices behind every cold chain move we handle. When a problem surfaces in transit, the response comes from the dedicated squad assigned to that shipment -- not a general support queue.
Compliance Built Into Every Step
Mercury's OK-to-Send process reviews every shipment against regulatory and packaging requirements before it leaves the origin facility. This pre-departure checkpoint catches issues that typically surface at airports and border crossings, before the product is at risk.
Our GDP certification is not a formality. It underpins the processes, training, and documentation practices that govern every cold chain move we handle. For organizations shipping biological specimens, clinical trial materials, or cell and gene therapies, Mercury provides the documentation chain your quality team will need at every handoff.
To learn what cold chain shipping involves and when it applies, see What Is Cold Chain Shipping?
Frequently asked questions
What is healthcare logistics?
Healthcare logistics encompasses the planning, coordination, and execution of shipping, storage, and distribution for medical products including pharmaceuticals, biological specimens, medical devices, and hospital supplies. It requires specialized temperature control, regulatory compliance, chain-of-custody documentation, and trained personnel to ensure products arrive safely and maintain their integrity throughout transit.
What temperature ranges does Mercury support for pharmaceutical shipping?
Mercury supports four validated temperature zones: cryogenic at -196°C using liquid nitrogen dewars, frozen transport at -20°C to -80°C with dry ice management, refrigerated shipping at 2-8°C for biologics and vaccines, and controlled room temperature shipping at 15-25°C for stable pharmaceutical formulations. Each zone uses purpose-built packaging validated under worst-case seasonal conditions.
Does Mercury provide same-day hospital courier services?
Yes. Mercury provides dedicated same-day courier services for hospitals with direct door-to-door transport, real-time GPS tracking, and no intermediate stops. Later pickup times after 5 PM accommodate end-of-day laboratory runs, and 24/7 availability including weekends ensures continuity for facilities that never close.
How does Mercury handle bloodborne pathogen compliance for medical couriers?
All Mercury couriers handling biological specimens are trained in OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) compliance, including proper PPE usage, triple-packaging protocols, spill response procedures, and exposure prevention. Mercury maintains a written Exposure Control Plan and provides annual refresher training for all courier personnel.
What certifications does Mercury hold for healthcare logistics?
Mercury is ISO 9001:2015 certified and operates under GDP (Good Distribution Practice) guidelines. All electronic records meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11 standards. Mercury's systems support DSCSA traceability requirements for pharmaceutical products and IATA/DOT dangerous goods regulations for biological specimen transport.
Can Mercury ship pharmaceutical products internationally?
Yes. Mercury provides international pharmaceutical shipping with pre-cleared customs documentation, GDP-compliant handling protocols, and temperature monitoring throughout transit. Onboard courier services are available for the most critical international pharmaceutical shipments, with a dedicated professional physically accompanying your package in-cabin.
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