News

va-Q-tec signs extensive heads of terms agreement on provision of thermal containers for global CoVid-19 vaccine distribution with top international pharmaceuticals producer

  • One of the largest
    pharmaceutical manufacturers secures capacities from va-Q-tec for thermal containers for international,
    temperature-controlled vaccine distribution.
  • Order to be
    executed from first quarter of 2021 subject to expected vaccine approval.
  • va-Q-tec is
    thereby probably the world's first provider of temperature-controlled thermal
    containers with a confirmed partnership for global logistics for CoVid-19
    vaccines in this volume.
  • Further talks
    between va-Q-tec and other vaccine manufacturers being held in parallel.
  • va-Q-tec's
    high-tech passive transport containers provide key technology required for
    temperature-controlled vaccine distribution, reliably maintaining constant
    temperatures in various ranges between -70 �C and 25 �C -- including over several days.

W�RZBURG, GERMANY - Media OutReach - 19 November 2020 - va-Q-tec, a pioneer of highly efficient thermal containers and boxes for temperature-controlled
logistics, announces the successful conclusion of a comprehensive agreement with one of the largest
pharmaceutical manufacturers for the international distribution of a
coronavirus vaccine. This probably makes the company the first in the thermal
container sector to agree a confirmed
partnership for large-scale global thermal transports in connection with the CoVod- 19
vaccine. va-Q-tec is aware of its great responsibility: in addition to the development and validation of the
vaccine, which is currently taking place under intense pressure, secure
worldwide distribution is considered a mammoth logistical and technical task.
As part of the agreement, the customer is securing capacities for
international, temperature-controlled vaccine distribution. Such capacities
could become increasingly scarce, according to sector information.

As part of the related heads of terms agreement, it has been
arranged with the partner that, subject to approval, the worldwide,
large-volume distribution of its vaccines deploying va-Q-tec's innovative
transport solutions is to start in the first quarter of 2021. The order volume
comprises several thousand high-performance transport containers. The parties
intend to conclude a final agreement soon concerning the total volume of the
partnership based on the heads of terms agreement. The approval of the active
substance is a prerequisite for this agreement. At this stage, it is assumed
that such approval will be granted.

The investments made so far realized in the expansion of va-Q-tec's
fleet create the necessary capacities for this order, as well as for possible
follow-up orders. The fleet will be expanded significantly further over the
coming months. As a consequence, the German company operates the world's
largest fleet of thermal containers, whose interiors maintain even low
temperature ranges at a constant level of -20 �C and below over a period of
several days. For this reason, va-Q-tec is in an ideal position to provide
secure and reliable logistics for the valuable vaccine in the context of such a
large-scale request, and has already many years of experience with
international transports below -60 �C.

The company offers a unique, coordinated portfolio of different
high-performance thermal container and box solutions that enable it to handle
such a complex, international logistic task. In addition to large-volume
international shipments, all types of transport can be realized utilizing the
same proven technology, including on the last mile to the end customer or
patient.

The company offers a fleet of several 1000 high-tech rental
containers within its network of 40 international stations.
Reliable availability for increased global
demand or transportation to countries with
challenging logistics infrastructures is also ensured by a container variant that
is available for purchase: with the va-Q-pal SI, a cost-efficient and
sustainable pallet container has been specially developed that reliably maintains required temperatures for many days. It can be re-qualified several times, enabling it to be reutilized at its original
performance level. For this purpose, before being reutilized, the entire
insulation can be checked easily for full functionality.

Above and beyond
the agreement that has been reached, va-Q-tec
is in advanced negotiations aimed at comparable partnerships with
further international vaccine manufacturers. Coronavirus vaccines are already
being moved in the company's thermal transport solutions, some of them are
being pre- produced and distributed in large volumes on a pre-approval basis in
order to supply the population with the vaccines immediately after official
approval. In many such cases, little data is available on stability during
transport and storage. Consequently, va-Q-tec transports the same coronavirus
vaccines on an intercontinental basis at -70 �C, as well as on a local
microdistribution basis at +2 to 8�C. This is in the same boxes and containers
easily possible thanks to the company's unique technology.

Dr. Joachim Kuhn, CEO and founder of va-Q-tec, adds: "First-class scientists have developed
a vaccine within a very short time, and we are now helping to distribute the
vaccine with our secure transport solutions. The present agreement is the most
extensive in our twenty-year corporate history, and perhaps one of the most
extensive in the sector ever. With our unique technology, our broad portfolio
and our years of experience with low and very low temperatures, we can
optimally support the global distribution of the coronavirus vaccine. Thanks to
the extensive expansion of our container and box fleet as well as our worldwide network, we offer ideal prerequisites for tackling this enormous logistics challenge. We are proud to be
able to make our contribution to the major common goal of the global battle
against the CoVid-19 pandemic."

About va-Q-tec

va-Q-tec is a pioneer in
highly efficient products and solutions in the area of thermal insulation and
TempChain logistics. The company develops, produces and markets highly
efficient and consequently thin vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) as well as
phase change materials (PCMs) for reliable and energy-efficient temperature controlling. In addition, va-Q-tec
produces passive thermal
packaging systems (containers and boxes) through optimally integrating VIPs and PCMs, which
can maintain constant temperatures, depending
on type, for up to 200 hours
without external energy
input. In order to implement temperature- sensitive logistics chains,
va-Q-tec -- within
a global partner
network -- operates
a fleet of rental containers and boxes meeting demanding thermal protection standards. Along with Healthcare & Logistics as the main market, va-Q-tec addresses the
following further markets: Appliances & Food, Technics & Industry,
Building, and Mobility. The high-growth company, which was founded in 2001, is
based in W�rzburg, Germany.

Further information: www.va-q-tec.com

Twitter: @vaQtec

LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/va-Q-tec

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