Customer Solutions Center and Hybrid Services to and from Europe are First in Industry

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., July 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Marken announced the opening of a Customer Solutions Center within their existing Moscow depot to support all clinical trial investigator sites across Russia.  In addition, Marken has begun their unique hybrid service for shipments into Russia for drug storage and distribution and from Russia for biologic sample shipments.  Together, these new services offer the best of Marken and UPS networks and provide the high-touch, local services its customers are accustomed to receive from Marken. 

Investigator sites can call Marken locally in Russia for any service required.  Marken's hybrid service allows shipments to be transferred to a UPS aircraft in Moscow for onward delivery to any European destination.  Shipments into Russia are managed the same way, with the first and last mile handled by Marken's network while offering the UPS flight as an option.  Investigators can also book online or, with the help of a local customer service representative, receive cost efficient routing solutions and quotes, request special shipping materials, track each shipment, all with one single point of contact.  Marken also operates a full service clinical depot in the same location, which is very close to the Sheremetyevo airport.  All of these services are under one roof, which allows Marken to offer its customers a full portfolio of clinical logistics services not previously available in Russia.

Russia is a very important source of patients for global clinical trials.  In 2017, nearly 100 overseas pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies initiated their multinational clinical trials in Russia to enroll 27,000 local patients in total. At least half of the projects involved the participation of contract research organizations (CROs). Currently, around 1400 clinical centers and 3900 investigators with more than three years of experience in clinical research are accredited by the Russian authorities.¹

Wes Wheeler, Chief Executive Officer, commented on the new service in Russia, "Our new Customer Solutions Center in Moscow is an exciting development in our service portfolio.  Our local Moscow team, including our logistics and depot staff, are co-located and offer our full suite of services to any investigator or pharmaceutical client.  We are excited to offer our efficient hybrid solution, which is fully compliant and thoroughly tested.  Our local personalized service personnel will provide local quotes, investigator starter packs, real-time shipment tracking and a full line of depot services with one dedicated phone number and email address. We have always considered Russia a key country for our industry, and we are now very pleased to offer this wide range of services at the local level."

¹Trends and Opportunities in the International Multicenter Clinical Trials in Russia 2018