DHL to buy US healthcare courier SDS Rx

Core Insights - DHL Group's contract logistics arm has reached a tentative agreement to acquire SDS Rx, enhancing its capabilities in the high-margin healthcare logistics sector [1][2] - The life sciences and healthcare sector is expected to grow at a rate of 11% annually through 2030, significantly impacting the logistics market [3] - DHL plans to invest $2.2 billion to upgrade its logistics portfolio in the life sciences and healthcare sector, aiming to double its healthcare logistics revenue to $10.8 billion by 2030 [5] Company Developments - SDS Rx specializes in final-mile delivery services for various medical establishments, including long-term care facilities and specialty pharmacies, and will be integrated into DHL Supply Chain's North American Life Science & Healthcare business [2][4] - This acquisition marks DHL's second healthcare transaction in 2023, following the acquisition of CryoPDP, which provides white-glove courier services for the pharmaceutical sector [4] - The CEO of DHL Supply Chain North America emphasized the strategic importance of this acquisition in expanding healthcare logistics capabilities and attracting new healthcare customers [6] Market Trends - The healthcare logistics market is projected to grow from $130 billion in 2023 to $152 billion in 2024, driven by an aging global population and increasing demand for drugs and biological medical products [3] - Specialty pharmacy firms account for approximately 50% of total prescription drug spending in the U.S., with a 12% increase in the number of patients served from 2018 to 2022 [4] - Competitors like FedEx and UPS are also focusing on healthcare logistics as a key profit center, indicating a competitive landscape in this sector [7]