“Life sciences and pharmaceuticals are one of our most strategic growth verticals,” said Panza. “In recent years, the share of oncology and clinical-trial shipments has grown from just 1 percent to 12 percent of our pharma portfolio.” That shift mirrors the global rise in next-generation therapies—many of which are temperature-sensitive, time-critical, and increasingly personalised.
Clinical trials and corridor-building
Etihad’s GDP-certified PharmaLife product supports a wide range of sensitive goods—from diagnostics and vaccines to investigational oncology treatments. Through targeted corridor development, the carrier connects major manufacturing hubs in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East with emerging markets that often lack local production.
In the UAE, regulators are playing a proactive role. “In Abu Dhabi, the Department of Health plays a pivotal role through its Clinical Research and Trials Acceleration Programme,” Panza said. Part of the HELM framework, the programme is designed to fast-track advanced trials. For Etihad Cargo, this means faster clearance and shorter delivery timelines. “We deliver investigational medicines quickly and reliably to trial sites across the region.”
Localisation of clinical research has accelerated demand for specialist logistics—especially for breast cancer treatments and other precision medicines. According to Panza, Etihad’s network supports this push by offering “tailored solutions” from trained Pharma Champions stationed across key nodes in the network.
Building for temperature and trust
The technical infrastructure behind pharma logistics is rarely visible from the outside—but it is foundational. Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi is GDP and IATA CEIV Pharma certified, and includes dedicated cold and cool rooms (2–8°C and 15–25°C), continuous temperature mapping, and validated ULD handling systems.
Looking ahead, the carrier is investing further, anticipating growth in therapies that require even stricter handling. “We are working with global partners such as Pharma.Aero on cold chain solutions in anticipation of next-generation therapies, including precision and oncology treatments,” said Panza.
Digitalisation plays a central role. The company’s SmartTrack platform layers IoT sensors and live temperature feeds into the network, allowing for real-time visibility and—crucially—proactive intervention. “This enables proactive intervention at any point in the journey,” Panza said. “Ensuring oncology shipments arrive safely, on time, and in full compliance with international quality standards.”
Even as the industry tightens its control protocols, another pressure is mounting: emissions reduction.
Panza sees this not as a contradiction, but a dual mandate. “We are embedding eco-efficient solutions such as advanced thermal covers, load optimisation, reduced transit times, and next-generation aircraft technologies,” he said. “For us, sustainability underpins reliability and builds long-term trust with customers.”
That trust is particularly critical in underserved regions, where healthcare infrastructure is limited and air cargo often represents the only reliable mode for moving life-saving medicine. “We help bridge accessibility gaps for critical oncology medicines,” Panza said, referencing partnerships with NGOs and governments working to improve access.
By 2030, precision medicine will need precision logistics
The next five years will be transformative. As advanced therapies like cell and gene treatments move from trial to frontline care, air cargo will be asked to do more—with less margin for error.
“By 2030, air cargo will be an essential lifeline for precision medicine,” Panza said. “Etihad Cargo is already preparing for this future through enhanced monitoring, deeper partnerships, and an evolving portfolio of pharma-focused solutions designed around patient outcomes.”
