Two and a half tons of a medicine have been transported in SkyCell containers from London to the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. The novel pharmaceutical is being used to treat patients suffering from copper poisoning.

In Iraq, copper poisoning is a widespread problem due to the burning of electronic waste and plastics. An overdose of copper disturbs mental function, irritates the nerves and nervous system leading to many inflammatory conditions, such as skin irritations, asthma, and depression. In a joint project with the Iraqi Ministry of Health, 2.5 tons of a drug were delivered to Baghdad in SkyCell containers in an effort to help the victims.

“We are very proud to have contributed with our technology to this humanitarian effort as part of the ongoing struggle to rebuild this war-torn country”, said Richard Ettl, CEO of SkyCell. In cooperation with the Iraqi Ministry of Health, the investigational new drug was delivered to Baghdad in SkyCell containers, successfully completing a difficult logistical challenge, delivering $6.8 million of the needed pharmaceutics door-to-door to a hospital in Baghdad.

The experimental drug is highly temperature sensitive, requiring a fully controlled cold chain solution with an unbroken temperature environment between two to eight degrees Celsius. Any temperature deviations would result in the shipment becoming unusable. In addition to that, security requirements at Baghdad Airport demand all shipments to be X-rayed, which would result in the cold chain to be broken.

“SkyCell 1500C units became the containers-of-choice, as their innovative design and passive cooling system guarantees the required temperature range and allows X-ray-examination without breaking the seals”, said Nico Ross, CTO and co-founder of SkyCell.

Door-to-door delivery of the drug was possible, arriving at the designated hospital without the cold chain being broken.

“There was no room for error as any temperature deviations would cause the life-saving product to be written off with a replacement shipment taking around six months to manufacture”, said Chiara Venuti, Business Development Director at SkyCell. The customers decision to use SkyCell containers was also made due to its low carbon footprint, saving six tons of CO2 per container in this transport alone, compared to competitors’ products.