We expand our European partnership with argenx
Arvato and global biotech company argenx have successfully achieved two important milestones in our joint European expansion: Following the launch of direct distribution for the Spanish market from Alcalá de Henares, the Italian market is now also being served from our logistics site in Calcinate near Bergamo.
Two countries, two go-lives – a strong signal for growth
The partnership between Arvato and argenx began in 2022, and has since evolved into a comprehensive collaboration across the EMEA region. We have been managing argenx’s German logistics from its Healthcare hub in Harsewinkel, delivering a comprehensive order-to-cash service, from warehouse management to order processing and shipping, along with other value-added services.
The Go Live in Spain earlier this year marked the starting point of the international expansion of our partnership - and the next milestone has already been reached with the Go Live of the services for the Italian market. The Arvato site in Calcinate near Bergamo now serves as a central distribution hub for argenx and covers the complete country. Healthcare providers, hospitals, and patients will now benefit from a supply network based within Italy, whereas distribution in the past was managed from abroad. The decision to relocate logistics operations was driven by the need to respond more rapidly, flexibly, and efficiently to the growing demand for precision therapies for autoimmune diseases.
“Italy is one of argenx’s key countries,” says Fabrizio Celia, General Manager of argenx Italy. “The decision to launch direct distribution in the Italian market is part of our broader growth strategy to expand and further strengthen our presence in Italy, and to be closer to the needs of patients affected by rare and severe autoimmune diseases, as well as healthcare providers. Entrusting logistics to a reliable supply chain partner like Arvato ensures quality, reliability, and fast delivery, and will also play an important role in reducing our environmental impact, thanks to shorter transportation times and distances.”
“We are proud to support argenx in this new phase of its growth in Italy, offering our expertise in pharmaceutical logistics and the handling of sensitive products,” adds Martin Zoeckler, Director Healthcare at Arvato in Italy. “Our site in Calcinate has been designed to ensure the highest standards of safety, traceability, and quality in the healthcare supply chain. Thanks to flexible, scalable, and high-tech logistics solutions, we can also guarantee fast and reliable deliveries throughout the country, making a real contribution to the timely availability of essential therapies for patients.”
With the local logistics setups in Spain and Italy, argenx now benefits from shorter transport routes, increased process efficiency, and a reduced environmental footprint due to reduced transportation time and distance. At the same time, we strengthen its position as a reliable supply chain partner for global healthcare companies seeking flexibility, compliance, and scalability.
About argenx
Founded in Belgium in 2008, argenx has rapidly evolved from a pure research organization into a global biotech company — one of the fastest transformations in biotech history. In 2024, the company reported total operating revenue of $2.2 billion, up from $1.2 billion the previous year, and invested $983 million in research and development in that same year.
The company developed and markets efgartigimod alfa (VYVGART), the first neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blocker, and is exploring its broad potential across more than 15 severe autoimmune diseases. In Italy, efgartigimod alfa is indicated, in combination with standard therapy, for the treatment of adult patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody positive, available in both intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) self-administered formulations. In addition, the company is advancing a pipeline of antibody-based drugs with 10 Phase 3 and 10 Phase 2 trials targeting areas with currently unmet therapeutic needs.