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The deal will integrate SDS Rx’s specialized delivery network of US locations into DHL’s Life Sciences & Healthcare division, strengthening same-day and final-mile services as demand for specialty pharma and patient-centered logistics continues to rise.
DHL Supply Chain has officially agreed to purchase SDS Rx, a provider of final-mile delivery and specialized healthcare transportation services for long-term care and specialty pharmacies, radiopharmacies, and health system networks.
The closing of the deal is subject to regulatory approvals, but SDS Rx will be incorporated into DHL Supply Chain North America’s Life Sciences & Healthcare division, with local leadership teams continuing to oversee day-to-day operations.
As a result, DHL grows its life sciences and healthcare (LSHC) capabilities, especially across this specific supply chain, expanding upon its existing healthcare logistics portfolio under DHL Health Logistics.
Handling specialized healthcare deliveries from over 200 US locations, SDS Rx is expected to bolster DHL’s healthcare transportation network with last-mile logistics services, while enhancing the logistics provider’s same-day and expedited delivery options at the same time.
"The life sciences and healthcare sector is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11% through 2030. Specialty pharmacy already accounts for approximately 50% of total prescription drug spending in the US, and the number of patients served by specialty pharmacies grew by 12% between 2018 and 2022,”1 noted Mark Kunar, CEO of DHL Supply Chain North America. “The increasing demand for specialty pharma and healthcare solutions presents significant opportunities for DHL to leverage its scale, expertise, and commitment to operational excellence. With this acquisition, we are expanding our healthcare logistics capabilities, attracting a new segment of healthcare customers, and reinforcing our position as a trusted partner in building resilient and connected healthcare supply chains.”
When it comes to significance of the partnership, Drew Kronick, SDS Rx’s founder, CEO, and managing partner of SDS Rx, emphasized the company’s patient-first mission, stating that, "Our mission is to enhance the quality of patient care with every delivery. As the demand for last-mile delivery in healthcare continues to grow, we understand the importance of aligning with a partner who shares our patient-first commitment. Partnering with DHL represents a meaningful step forward, combining our strengths to improve the precision, reliability, and speed of delivery to patients most in need."
The SDS Rx deal represents the second healthcare acquisition for the company this year—the first came in June, in its purchase of CRYOPDP, the specialty courier business of Cryoport, a provider of temperature-controlled supply chain solutions for the life sciences sector.2
That partnership allows the companies to now collaborate on a multitude of ventures, by combining Cryoport's specialized supply chain solution know-how with DHL's health logistics services that it has at its disposal. That end product comes via the combination of specialized pharma logistics and services to the life science and healthcare market sector that continues its upward trajectory.
"Our strategic partnership and this transaction mark a significant step that contributes to the continued evolution of our industry and aligns with Cryoport's long-term strategic vision,” stated Jerrell Shelton, CEO of Cryoport. “With this partnership, we are enhancing our core capabilities as we develop a strong global partner network. We believe this partnership with DHL will enhance our positioning in the Asia Pacific (APAC) and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regions, where it will reshape our competitive profile.
“It provides for greater opportunities to offer highly targeted, top-tier services in these regions in response to growing market demand. Most importantly, it allows us to intensify our focus on advancing our Life Science Services platform globally, particularly in the rapidly growing regenerative medicine market. This strategic partnership and divestiture of CRYOPDP delivers a healthy capital infusion, improves our growth trajectory and places us in a solid position to reach our goal of sustainable, long-term profitability."
References
1. DHL Agrees to Acquire SDS Rx Expanding Its Life Sciences and Healthcare Capabilities. DHL. September 9, 2025. Accessed September 12, 2025. https://group.dhl.com/en/media-relations/press-releases/2025/dhl-agrees-to-acquire-sds-rx-expanding-its-life-sciences-and-healthcare-capabilities.html
2. Saraceno N. DHL Officially Obtains CRYOPDP. Pharmaceutical Commerce. June 12, 2025. Accessed September 12, 2025. https://www.pharmaceuticalcommerce.com/view/dhl-officially-obtains-cryopdp
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