Conversations That Matter: Insights from GCSG Europe 2025
Reflections from Budapest on clinical supply trends, peer learning, and the role of thermal packaging in decentralised trials.
Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of attending the GCSG European Knowledge Forum in Budapest – a standout event in the clinical supply calendar. Held at the Corinthia Hotel, the forum brought together professionals from across the industry to share insights, challenges, and innovations in clinical trial logistics.
What struck me most was the quality of the conversations. GCSG is organised by pharma companies themselves, and that shows. The sessions were practical, the networking was meaningful, and the vendor interactions were structured to ensure time well spent. It’s rare to find an event where you feel both professionally engaged and personally welcomed.
Key themes this year included:
- Decentralised trial models and their impact on packaging and logistics
- Sustainability in clinical supply chains
- Inspection readiness and import/export complexities
- Cell and gene therapy and the evolving demands on temperature-sensitive transport
At the Topa Thermal booth, we had the opportunity to speak with teams navigating these challenges first hand. It was clear that thermal packaging isn’t just a technical detail – it plays a key role in helping clinical trials succeed, especially when dealing with complex logistics like decentralised models or global shipments.
We’re proud to support pharma teams with scalable, sustainable, and streamlined packaging systems that meet the demands of modern trials. And we’re grateful to GCSG for creating a space where these conversations can flourish.
Looking forward to continuing the dialogue – and to returning next year.