PharmaSource Podcast

“The biggest challenge for scientists to understand that it’s not just your expertise that people are buying, it’s your ability to connect with their problem.” 

Dr. Jeff Kiplinger, a former scientific leader at Pfizer, founded, scaled and sold Averica Discovery Services, a Boston-based CRO specializing in early-stage contract research and analytical development.

Now best-selling of author “Expert to Entrepreneur” and consultant, his company Selling Science advises contract service providers on how to improve their science selling techniques.

Ahead of his lighting talk at CDMO Live, we sat down with Jeff to discuss how CROs and CMOs can position themselves for success in today’s crowded marketplace, and advice for outsourcing leaders in selecting the right partner for their business.

Pfizer CentreOne is an “altogether different kind of CDMO”. Unlike a pure play contract development and manufacturing partner, they don’t own their own plants and pharmaceutical development centres. Instead their customers can leverage the wealth of expertise and state-of-the-art facilities Pfizer possesses.

Ahead of CDMO Live 2024 we sat down with Tom Wilson, VP of Global Contract Manufacturing at Pfizer CentreOne, to discuss how their integrated business model sets them apart from other contract manufacturing partners.

Pfizer CentreOne offers a comprehensive range of services including small molecule API, solid oral dose, sterile injectables, biologics, and cell & gene therapies.

“Pfizer spends over a billion dollars every year to maintain our global network of 38 plants.” says Tom.

“When we bring a client partner on board, they get access to the same manufacturing work centres, scientists, and analysts that Pfizer uses for its products. We have robust ways of controlling intellectual property, ensuring we’re protecting our clients and our own IP.”

“Pfizer’s main mission statement is ‘time is life’. We bring that patient centricity to our CDMO practice. Clients are usually surprised that we’re not talking immediately about our technology, but instead about their patient’s journey, then how can we help make a difference.”

Read the full article

“Good quality supplier data is the backbone of procurement,” says Lana Radosevic,  Global Supplier Lead in Procurement Excellence at Astellas

In her role in Procurement Excellence, Lana Radosevic’s primary focus is on improving supplier data quality across all SaaS systems used by Global Procurement and integrating supplier data. 

In the latest episode of the PharmaSource podcast she explains the importance of accurate supplier data and  shares her experience in driving improvements.

Terumo is a mid to large size-global medical device company based in Japan, with offices in over 160 countries around the world and over 50,000 products and services.

The Terumo Pharmaceutical Solutions Division, also known as ‘PSD’, is a leading manufacturer of injectable solutions – including primary container, infusion therapy devices, general drug delivery devices – and contract development manufacturing (CDMO) services for parenteral drugs.

“2024 so far has been very good for us.” says Marco Chiadò Piat, President of Terumo Pharmaceutical Solutions Division.

“We’re seeing continuous growth this year, as we did in 2023 and 2022. Continuous growth in capabilities, the solutions we provide to our pharmaceutical customers, and hence a continued increase of the positive impact that we have on patients worldwide.”

Ahead of CDMO Live, we sat down with Marco and Anil Busimi, Vice President Strategy & Marketing at Terumo Pharmaceutical Solutions Division, to discuss the integrated CDMO services that Terumo offer to their growing, international customer base

Read the full article

Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM), as the name suggests, is a leading sterile injectable drug manufacturer based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Following significant investments in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, GRAM has capacity for fill-finish biologics, small molecules, and vaccines.

Ahead of CDMO Live, we had the opportunity to sit down with David Powell, Vice President of Business Development at GRAM.

“We strive to have the latest manufacturing technology. All our equipment is always cutting-edge. But at the same time, as a good old Mid-west company, customer focus, authenticity, and transparency are the hallmarks of who we are.” say David

During the COVID-19 pandemic, GRAM helped manufacture the vaccine. “We pivoted and quickly invested in more capacity. Now, post-COVID, we have a significant amount of capacity available to our customers, with a total of three fill lines and a fourth on the way,” David explained.

With newer capabilities and facilities, GRAM has pivoted to specialize in biologics fill-finish.

“That is where our sweet spot is. We’re not into drug substance, we’re not in oral solids, we are really just focused on fill-finish and helping our customers, large or small, take their products through and get it to market.”

GRAM have announced plans for a third manufacturing facility focused on syringe and cartridge filling to complement existing capabilities.

“We’re leaving plenty of space to also get into more downstream auto injector and other device manufacturers assembly for our syringe and cartridge customers. We realize we need to continue to expand in there to match the market demand.”

This is set to change with the Project Martini initiative, which aims to significantly “shake up” and consolidate their network of contract manufacturers.

Speaking ahead of CDMO Live, David Buhmann, Vice President of Procurement Finished Goods, explains the new strategy and its critical importance to Bayer.  

“Contract Manufacturers are an integral part of our overall supply chain. We require top-tier partners to ensure that we fulfil our mission of helping over 1 billion people lead healthier lives with the most trusted selfcare solutions in the market. This includes every link in the supply chain, including the CMO network.”

Over the years, Bayer’s contract manufacturing network has grown organically, resulting in a situation where the company now collaborates with nearly 200 CMO sites, accounting for roughly half of the company’s revenue.

“Our priorities shifted rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic,” says David. “Initially, our focus was on securing materials and supplies at any cost. However, more recently, we’ve shifted our attention to cost management and cash flow, right-sizing the inventories that accumulated during the pandemic.”

Onyx Scientific is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) that specializes in process R&D, non-GMP scale-up, and GMP manufacture for clinical trials and commercial applications.

With facilities in the UK and US, their dedicated teams in chemistry, solid-state and analytical chemistry guide small molecule Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) products through development and manufacturing.

In anticipation of CDMO Live, we had a conversation with Chris Atherton, the Commercial Manager of Onyx Scientific, who shed light on their business operations.

"Onyx was one of the first chemistry CDMOs to invest in solid-state, and we plan to continue investing in this area in the future." says Chris.

Established in 2000, Onyx Scientific has garnered 24 years of successful experience within the preclinical development space, completing thousands of development projects. Their pragmatic ‘fit for purpose’ approach is centred on intelligent rapid process development with an eye towards future GMP campaigns.

Connect with Onyx Scientific at CDMO Live

“Contract negotiations are often perceived as a POWER GAME but in reality, it has to be a collaboration.” says Dr Roxana Timmermans

In the latest episode of the PharmaSource podcast, Dr. Timmermans explains why contract negotiations are of critical importance in pharma outsourcing and shares her framework for success.

“Proper negotiation, is the foundation of a strong partnership. In the highly regulated world of pharma contract manufacturing, precise terms are essential."

"Negotiation skills are not just desirable; they are paramount, says Roxana. “If you not trained you will put the company in a very damaging position.”

Read the interview The Art of Contract Negotiations

While pharmaceutical companies have proven the return on investing in digital at early stages of drug discovery, manufacturing has been slower to embrace digital transformation.

To understand how pharma R&D and manufacturing can unlock more business value through adopting digital tools and technologies, we speak to Digital CMC consultant Mark Buswell.

Mark is a chemical engineer by training, with over 20 years in R&D and Manufacturing at GSK, before joining NGT BioPharma consultants to head up Digital CMC services to help pharmaceutical companies navigate digital transformation of their CMC function.

Read the full article on Digital CMC Maturity on PharmaSource

In 2024 the world of Contract Development & Manufacturing has been going through a period of major upheaval.

Since the start of the year, every day have been significant acquisitions or investments in the CDMO space. In the United States there are highly significant legislative changes working their way through Congress which will re-define the industry.

Ahead of his talk at CDMO Live, we spoke Gil Roth, President and founder of the PBOA (Pharma & Biopharma Outsourcing Association) to give us his take on all the challenges and opportunities faced by this dynamic sector.