Brussels Airport has launched test shipments of human cell and blood material for precision therapies, including advanced treatments for cancer and rare diseases, as part of the Precision Therapy Logistics Gateway (PTLG) project. The first consignments were sent from Belgium to Dallas, Texas, marking a key step in developing safer and faster global transport for these highly sensitive treatments.

Since November 2025, ten test shipments have been successfully transported from Brussels Airport to BioLabs Pegasus Park, a biotech cluster in Dallas, with another 50 scheduled in the coming weeks. Precision therapies, such as cell, gene, and radioligand treatments, require strict temperature control and rapid delivery, making logistics a critical factor in patient care.

The initiative is coordinated by at.las, the Antwerp ATMP ecosystem, and the Science Park University of Antwerp. Research samples provided by the University of Antwerp’s Laboratory of Experimental Haematology are transported from the Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine at Antwerp University Hospital to the airport and back after testing in Dallas.

With around 45,000 m² of temperature-controlled storage, Brussels Airport leverages its experience as Europe’s leading pharma hub to ensure secure transport. Shipments pass through customs, are stored in temperature-controlled zones, and are flown in airport-developed refrigerated containers to maintain optimal conditions. Sensors track temperature, lead times, and traceability throughout the process, allowing potential risks to be identified and addressed.

“With this project, we are strengthening our role as a pioneer in pharma logistics, not only in Europe but worldwide. The production and use of precision therapies in Belgium will increase significantly in the coming years. This calls for a logistics approach in which speed, accuracy and reliability are essential. Together with our partners, we are putting our expertise at the service of this important innovation to contribute to the healthcare of the future,” said Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport.

The PTLG project, co-funded by the provinces of Antwerp and Flemish Brabant, aims to create an internationally recognised standard for the air transport of precision therapies. Project partners, led by Air Cargo Belgium, are also exploring the development of a dedicated logistics centre at Brussels Airport to support these advanced treatments. Results from the test shipments are expected in the first half of 2026.