Relocating a pharmaceutical lab involves much more than boxing up equipment and loading trucks. With regulatory compliance, temperature requirements, chain-of-custody documentation, and complex instrumentation in the mix, this type of move demands strategic planning and specialized support.

Below, we break down exactly what goes into a successful lab relocation—along with how International Process Solutions (IPS) delivers safe and seamless transitions using industry-grade refrigerated transport, certified handling protocols, and scientifically trained technicians.

Why Pharmaceutical Lab Relocations Are So Challenging

Most commercial moves are about logistics. But pharmaceutical lab moves? They’re about preserving integrity, compliance, and scientific accuracy.

Here are the top challenges labs face:

1. Temperature-Sensitive Specimens

Pharmaceutical labs rely on:

• Frozen biological materials
• Drug formulations
• Tissue samples
• Clinical specimens
• Enzymes, reagents, cultures

Even slight temperature fluctuations can ruin entire inventories.

That’s why IPS uses specialized refrigerated trucks with validated temperature monitoring, continuous logging, and backup power systems to ensure no specimen is ever compromised.

2. Delicate, High-Value Equipment

Labs often house equipment such as:

• HPLCs
• Mass spectrometers
• Incubators
• PCR machines
• Ultra-low freezers
• Centrifuges
• Cryogenic storage

These are extremely sensitive to vibration, humidity, and temperature, requiring trained technicians—not general movers—to handle, pack, and transport them.

3. Regulatory Compliance

Pharmaceutical facilities must meet:

• FDA standards
• cGMP protocols
• ISO requirements
• Chain-of-custody rules
• Environmental health and safety guidelines

One compliance break can cause massive delays or legal issues.

4. Downtime & Productivity Loss

A poorly executed move can leave teams unable to perform experiments, delaying R&D timelines and costing companies substantial revenue.

IPS eliminates unnecessary downtime through pre-move planning, workflow mapping, and coordinated transition schedules.

How International Process Solutions Ensures Safe Lab Relocations

IPS isn’t a typical moving company—we’re lab relocation specialists with a scientific, regulatory, and technical background. Every move is handled with the precision and care of a controlled laboratory procedure.

⭐ 1. Temperature-Controlled Transport Using Refrigerated Trucks

This is where IPS stands apart.

Our fleet includes validated refrigerated trucks capable of transporting:

• Frozen specimens
• Temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals
• Controlled substances
• Cryogenic materials
• Biological samples
• Hazardous or reactive materials

Each truck features:

• Continuous temperature monitoring
• digital data logging
• Backup power
• Redundant cooling systems
• GPS vehicle tracking

No matter the distance, your materials stay safe, stable, and fully compliant.

⭐ 2. Expert Handling of Scientific Instrumentation

Our technicians are trained in:

• Instrument decommissioning
• Calibration requirements
• Hazardous material handling
• Vibration-sensitive transport
• Reinstallation & verification

For highly sensitive equipment, we use:

• Anti-vibration crating
• Cleanroom-safe packing
• Controlled humidity protection
• Custom foam casing

This ensures every instrument arrives in the same working condition it left.

⭐ 3. Regulatory & Documentation Support

IPS maintains complete documentation throughout the process, including:

• Chain-of-custody tracking
• Temperature logs
• Decontamination records
• Equipment manifest validation
• Hazardous materials paperwork
• cGMP-compliant procedures

This protects your lab from compliance gaps or audit failures during and after the relocation.

⭐ 4. Seamless Decommissioning & Recommissioning

We don’t just move equipment—we help:

• Decontaminate workspaces
• Prepare instruments for safe shutdown
• Transport and reinstall equipment
• Verify performance and calibration
• Coordinate with internal teams
• Re-establish workflows

Your lab is ready for use as quickly as possible.

⭐ 5. Risk-Free Project Management

IPS provides end-to-end project oversight, including:

• Timeline development
• Hazard assessment
• Pre-move meetings
• Facility coordination
• Contingency planning
• Safety audits

This eliminates guesswork and ensures every step is executed with scientific precision.

Real-World Example: How Refrigerated Transport Saves Critical Inventory

Imagine a pharmaceutical lab preparing to move to a larger facility. Among their assets:

• Frozen cell lines
• Expensive enzyme libraries
• Time-sensitive drug compounds
• Biological specimens collected over months

If these items warmed just 2–4 degrees, everything could be compromised.

IPS uses validated refrigerated trucks to maintain consistent temperatures—even when outside temperatures fluctuate—preventing irreversible scientific damage.

This is the level of protection a pharmaceutical lab simply cannot get from standard movers.

Natural Transitions: Keeping Your Move Smooth From Start to Finish

A major relocation requires careful orchestration. IPS uses a phased approach to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Phase 1: Assessment & Planning

We evaluate:

• Equipment inventory
• Temperature-sensitive materials
• Hazardous substances
• Facility layout
• Timeline needs

Then we design a relocation plan tailored to your lab.

Phase 2: Preparation & Packaging

Equipment is decontaminated, disassembled, packed, and labeled with precision.

Temperature-sensitive assets are prioritized for refrigerated transport.

Phase 3: Transport

Climate-controlled trucks and specialized packaging ensure safe transit from point A to point B.

Phase 4: Reinstallation

Once equipment arrives, our team reinstall, test, and verify critical systems so your team can get back to work quickly.

Phase 5: Final Validation

We review documentation, confirm compliance, and perform quality checks to ensure the relocation meets pharmaceutical and regulatory standards.

Why Pharmaceutical Labs Trust International Process Solutions

At IPS, we combine laboratory expertise with specialty logistics. Our services are designed for:

✔ Pharmaceutical labs
✔ Biotech facilities
✔ Clinical research organizations
✔ Diagnostic labs
✔ University research departments
✔ cGMP production spaces

We don’t just move labs—we protect scientific integrity, operational continuity, and regulatory compliance at every step.

And with our refrigerated transport capabilities, we ensure your most sensitive and valuable assets are always safeguarded.

If you’re planning a pharmaceutical lab relocation and want to avoid costly downtime, damaged equipment, or compromised specimens, International Process Solutions is your trusted partner.

📞 Contact International Process Solutions today to schedule your lab relocation consultation.

Let our specialists handle the move—so you can stay focused on science.