Over 135 pharma logistics professionals, international academics and industry experts from 24 countries are gathering this week in Singapore for the third edition of the Pharma Logistics Masterclass (PLMC).
The state-of-the-art event is a unique international joint initiative of Pharma.Aero, and the University of Antwerp (Belgium), associated in 2023 with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), the host of this edition.
The 5-day program creates a special opportunity for industry professionals to gain more in-depth knowledge, as well as for academics and PhD students to obtain advanced insights into how pharmaceutical supply chains are organized and logistics processes are optimized through applied technology for the pharma and life science sector.
“The Pharma Logistics Masterclass is a perfect example of a collaboration between business and academics and this collaboration also underlines the strong relation between the University of Antwerp and Pharma.Aero. With this year’s location – Singapore – we managed to bring our event to a third continent in three years, which underlines the global dimension of both Pharma logistics and the Masterclass itself. The fact that we have year by year more participants, indicates that the content and the set-up of the Masterclass is appreciated by both business and academics,” Roel Gevaers, Prof. Dr, University of Antwerp, Chairman of the PLMC, said.
“We are thrilled to be in Singapore for another highly anticipated Pharma Logistics Masterclass, poised to build upon the success of our previous editions. The unwavering collaboration with our esteemed members and partners guarantees that this state-of-the-art pharma logistics masterclass will continue to surpass expectations. Special appreciation goes to those who have been steadfast supporters since the inaugural edition – Etihad, Cold Jet, DSV, and va-Q-tec – along with SkyCell, Changi Airport Group, PSA BDP, Singapore Airlines, Brussels Airport Company, JAS Worldwide, Swissport, Qatar Airways, and Lainpharma. Their commitment is truly invaluable,” Trevor Caswell, Chairman of Pharma.Aero, said.
“The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) is honoured to be the venue host to the third edition of the International Pharma Logistics Masterclass. Ranked by the World Bank as Asia’s top logistics hub for 10 years in a row, Singapore offers world-class connectivity to the region and beyond. The masterclass is a great opportunity for us to share some of the latest innovations and developments in supply chain, transportation and logistics,” Lynette Cheah, Associate Professor, Engineering Systems and Design, SUTD, said.
“The choice for being in Singapore underlines the global collaborative vision and the drive Pharma.Aero embraces. Together with 137 attendees from 4 continents and 24 countries, we will be surfing during 5 intense days over the most actual and future developments in healthcare logistics,” Frank Van Gelder, Secretary General of Pharma.Aero, Co-Chair of the PLMC, said.
“During this week we are going to bring the audience out of their comfort zone in order to stimulate critical thinking, collaboration and innovation. This makes the Pharma Logistics Masterclass (PLMC 2023) unique in its kind, and furthermore a forceful event for every company working in the field of health care, pharmaceutical and medical device logistics. The strong cross-industry pollination and collaboration is the perfect “where business meets academics” recipe. It will mature companies’ strategies. Grafted on the essential takeaways of the past two versions of the masterclass in Antwerp, BE, and Abu Dhabi, UAE, this Masterclass concentrates on the most important developments in both scientific and industrial areas.”
“Singapore hosts excellent academic institutions as SUTD and has a range of world class pharmaceutical industries and logistics facilities in both the air and maritime transport environment. After the successful Pharma Logistics Masterclasses in Antwerp and Abu Dhabi, the third edition in Singapore is for sure a Pharma Logistics Masterclass 3.0, where business meets academics, and vice-versa, in an inspiring environment,” Wouter Dewulf, Director C-MAT, University of Antwerp, said.
The welcome reception for the Pharma Logistics Masterclass participants was offered by the Belgium Embassy to Singapore and the Flanders Investment & Trade.
Kim Demeyer – Science & Technology Counselor, Flanders Investment & Trade highlights the business and innovation ties between Flanders and Singapore: “Flanders and Singapore are both R&D powerhouses and gateways to the rest of the region they lie in. Flanders’ unique quadruple helix approach to innovation, including government, companies, knowledge institutions and civil society creates a vibrant ecosystem that develops cross-sectoral ties to foster innovation.
With 4 international airports and 3 major freight ports, Flanders is a logistics hub, connecting Europe to the rest of the world. The life sciences sector is the largest in Europe in market capitalization and is home to almost every major pharmaceutical company. Together, these sectors had and have a pivotal role in global vaccine development, production and distribution.
It is no coincidence that the pharma logistics masterclass has been developed in Flanders and as Flanders Investment & Trade, we fully support this and other initiatives to strengthen the business and innovation ties between Flanders and Singapore.”
The Pharma Logistics Masterclass was founded by Pharma.Aero the University of Antwerp and METRANS, in 2021, to foster collaboration and connect the current industry business models and strategies with academics modelling and data analytics for a well-prepared logistics and supply chain. The first edition of the PLMC was hosted by the University of Antwerp in September 2021.
