Kuehne+Nagel has finalised a deal that will see the freight forwarder supporting the supply chain and distribution of Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccines.

The logistics provider will support the worldwide distribution of vaccine doses from the US-based biotech firm’s facility in Europe to markets in Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa, and parts of the Americas.

K+N will provide cold storage warehousing for the vaccine at its pharma hub in Europe and will use its network to distribute the vaccine via road and air. Product integrity at the required temperature of -20°C will be maintained at all stages of transport and storage, it noted.

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“With today’s announcement, we take on the responsibility to distribute Covid-19 Vaccine Moderna around the world,” said Robert Coyle, senior vice president, pharma & healthcare.

“We have invested in our pharma & healthcare network and our global team of experts for decades – we are ready now, for when it matters the most,” he added.

Kuehne+Nagel said its logistics subsidiary, QuickSTAT, has been an integral part of Moderna’s vaccine supply chain during the phase II and phase III clinical trials in the US.

“Following the recent approvals, this is another step closer to resolving the pandemic and an exciting time for both our companies and everyone involved,” shared Dan Staner, vice president and head of EMEA at Moderna.

The announcement follows the conditional marketing authorisation granted to Moderna by the EU’s medicines regulator.