Bridging the Gaps: How Cryoshuttle^® Enhances First and Last Mile Resilience  

 For advanced therapies, the most vulnerable parts of the transportation journey aren’t always the longest. In fact, the greatest risks often occur in the shortest distances. While intercontinental transport and customs clearance are well-known hurdles (and therefore typically well-planned), both the first and last mile remain highly vulnerable to disruption.  

This is where products change hands, where conditions can slip out of compliance, and where even minor delays can result in major consequences. When time- and temperature-sensitive materials like leukapheresis or cell and gene therapies (CGTs) are involved, every minute and every mile matters.  

Cryoport Systems developed our Cryoshuttle^® local pickup and delivery services to solve precisely this problem. Designed as a dedicated, short-range logistics service for the life sciences, Cryoshuttle helps close the gap between global transport lanes and local handling environments, reinforcing chain of custody, ensuring near real-time visibility, and preserving product integrity from start to finish.  

Why the First and Last Mile Matter 

First and last mile legs are often underestimated, but they represent critical risk points in the life sciences supply chain. Unlike global air or lane transport, these short hauls typically rely on local third-party courier networks that may not be built for biologic or regenerative medicine materials. Handoff errors, untrained personnel, lack of documentation, and other errors can all jeopardize compliance or delay patient care.  

Advanced therapies demand a higher standard. CGTs are specialized therapeutics that are temperature-controlled, time-sensitive, and subject to strict regulatory oversight. When materials arrive without guaranteed adherence to standards and controls, the cost is more than financial. It can mean missed manufacturing slots or compromised patient materials. This is where resilience begins, by rethinking and reinforcing the bookends of the full journey.  

Controlled, Compliant, and Coordinated Transport 

Cryoshuttle is Cryoport Systems’ purpose-built ground transport service, specifically engineered for the life sciences. It fills the gap left by general courier services with dedicated vehicles, uniformed Cryoport Systems drivers (not outsourced couriers), and strict adherence to CGT-specific SOPs and regulations. With Cryoshuttle serving key biopharma hubs within the U.S., U.K., and Japan, it’s positioned to serve as a full extension of your validated, temperature-controlled supply chain for advanced therapies.  

Cryoshuttle vehicles are GPS-tracked, equipped with video surveillance, and outfitted with secured interiors that physically restrain shipping systems during transport to prevent movement or impact. Routes are pre-planned using state-of-the-art routing software for optimal efficiency. All transport is conducted under documented chain of custody. Each Cryoshuttle movement is backed by our proprietary Chain of Compliance®, providing a complete record of the equipment and conditions involved in every shipment.  

Consider a specific use case where leukapheresis material collected at a clinical site needs to be transported rapidly and reliably to a cryopreservation facility. With Cryoshuttle, pickup is pre-coordinated with the site. The shipping system is preconditioned and qualified, and the shipment remains under continuous monitoring throughout its journey. Every step is documented and auditable. This level of control significantly reduces common risks like deviations or delays and offers greater confidence in the specialized handling of transported materials.  

Cryoshuttle is also built to meet operational realities. With 24/7 availability (with proper notice), we support regularly scheduled client-specific pickups, rush orders, just-in-time deliveries, and even transport outside of standard business hours, including weekends and holidays. This flexibility gives our clients greater control and responsiveness, especially when clinical timelines or patient needs can’t wait.

Connecting Complex Pathways 

The advanced therapy supply chain doesn’t follow a single, linear path. It flows through clinical sites, cryopreservation facilities, biostorage, manufacturing hubs, and back again. Due to the personalized nature of regenerative medicine, each therapeutic has its own network and unique path. Keeping all of these nodes in sync can be a logistical challenge.  

Cryoshuttle streamlines this distributed network. Whether it’s a matter of moving material from a care site to a biostorage facility, from cryopreservation to a manufacturing site, or from manufacturing to a clinical trial location, Cryoshuttle helps ensure continuity without compromise.  

This includes direct-to-site capabilities, ideal for time-sensitive administration or just-in-time delivery models. It also integrates seamlessly with Cryoport Systems’ global logistics routing, enabling an uninterrupted Chain of Compliance from origin to destination.  

With increasing pressure on sites and sponsors to maintain compliance and full traceability, especially during trial expansion or commercialization, a unified first and last mile solution is essential for scalability.  

Plan for Logistics 

When evaluating how well your first and last mile strategy holds up, ask yourself these questions:  

• Who is responsible for the chain of custody at pickup and drop-off?  
• How is temperature monitored and documented during local transportation?  
• Are ground transport drivers trained in GDP and CGT-specific regulations? 
• Is each move auditable and backed by compliance data for audits and inspections? 
• What happens if there’s a delay, detour, or vehicle issue during transit?  
• Can your partner support after-hours, weekends, or just-in-time transit when timing becomes critical? 

Your logistics partner should be able to answer these questions confidently with full risk mitigation protocols to plan for the unforeseen. If these questions aren’t being asked, there may be an unrecognized risk in your current supply chain design.  

The Power of a Dedicated First and Last Mile Strategy 

It’s easy to focus on the complexity of international transport or the sophistication of cold chain technology (and we agree that these things are very cool!), but resilience begins at the edges. Inconsistent courier coverage, opaque handoffs, and lack of documentation at the first or last mile can introduce risk to even the most robust supply chain strategy.  

A dedicated first and last mile solution like Cryoshuttle strengthens the weakest links in your chain. It aligns ground transport with regulatory expectations and operational planning. It scales with you as you move from clinical trials to commercial launch, and it ensures that your supply chain is built not just for today’s milestones but for tomorrow’s needs. Most importantly, it protects what matters most: patient outcomes.  

The shortest distances in the life sciences supply chain often pose the highest risk. Cryoshuttle closes the gap between sites in a distributed network with purpose-built ground transport tailored for advanced therapies. By reinforcing the chain of custody and enabling consistent, compliant handoffs, it helps to safeguard both product and patient right from the start.  

Global success begins with local reliability. With Cryoshuttle, you’re protected at every step.