World Courier has opened new investigational drug storage facilities in Melbourne, Australia, and Johannesburg, South Africa, bringing its network of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)-compliant clinical trial depots to a total of 11 worldwide.

“Together these two continents undertake over 15% of current global clinical trials conducted outside North America, representing an annual estimated market of almost U.S. $3 billion and a study frequency almost double that of China and India combined,” said Wayne Heyland, president and CEO of the World Courier group of companies.

“As clinical research represents the most critical, yet expensive, phase of drug development, demand for more cost-effective outsourcing options has intensified in recent years, with clients actively soliciting infrastructure support in emerging and strategic nations.