FlyPharma Vienna 2024:
an event to remember

The 2024 Samedan FlyPharma Conference, held at
Vienna AirportCity in Austria, took place from 23-24 October

FlyPharma Vienna 2024 was a landmark event that marks a pivotal gathering of industry professionals, expert speakers and delegates from notable companies such as Sanofi, Takeda, Bayer, Amgen, Octapharma, Lufthansa, IATA, DHL, DoKaSch, Kühne + Nagel and more. Set against the city’s historic backdrop, this year’s conference offered actionable insights, collaborations and groundbreaking discussions focused on advancing the future of pharma logistics.

The event launched with a series of interactive workshops, including a risk assessment session led by Bernhard Zoidl, an independent consulter and trainer in the pharmaceutical area, emphasising regulatory compliance and collaborative strategies for safeguarding pharmaceutical supply chains. Frank van Gelder, Secretary General of Pharma.Aero, captivated attendees as he led a workshop on translating visionary business strategies into actionable plans, underscoring the importance of adaptive leadership in an evolving industry landscape.

Panel discussions delved into some of pharma logistics’ most pressing challenges. Céline Crahay, FlyPharma chair and senior consultant and managing director of 3CeL, guided a panel on building resilience in pharmaceutical shipments through robust contingency planning and air freight crisis management. Another dynamic panel, moderated by Zvonimir Majic, former global director of supply chain quality assurance at TEVA Pharmaceuticals, examined ethical and operational aspects of AI integration in pharma logistics, with a focus on advanced shipping solutions and risk management strategies.

Noteworthy keynote speakers gave attendees a glimpse into the future of operational excellence in pharma logistics, with Ruud van der Geer from MSD talking about sustainability in cold chains and Elena Mishina from Amgen looking at how complying with VAT requirements led to substantial savings and sustainability improvements.

A central theme of FlyPharma Vienna 2024 was the role of trust and collaboration in strengthening supply chains and supporting life-saving efforts. Industry leaders emphasised that transparent communication and cooperative partnerships are essential, not only for operational success but also for the ultimate goal of delivering critical medicines and treatments safely to patients worldwide.

Attendees also enjoyed numerous networking opportunities, from sponsor-hosted breaks by Etihad Cargo and DoKaSch Temperature Solutions, to an exclusive gala dinner at Palais Ferstel, sponsored by Vienna AirportCity, with fine dining and live entertainment. The conference concluded with an exclusive tour of Vienna Airport’s pharma cargo facilities, providing a first-hand look at the cutting-edge logistics operations.

FlyPharma Europe 2024 left a lasting impression, fostering partnerships and encouraging innovation across the pharma and cargo logistics industries, while also inspiring attendees through a shared commitment to improve the industry.

Samedan is excited to announce the return of FlyPharma in 2025, set to take place at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. As one of Europe’s busiest cargo hubs, Amsterdam will provide a vibrant setting for the next chapter of transformative discussions and networking opportunities for leaders in pharma and logistics.

For more information about attending, exhibiting or sponsorship packages,
please contact Simon Caplan at simon@samedanltd.com.