Chemical Industry News, Data & Insights

CDMO

Chemical industry CDMO (contract development and manufacturing organization) news

Recent developments

Biologics collaborations

Collaborations expanded across autoimmune and oncology. WuXi Biologics signed a license and research service agreement with Vertex for a trispecific T‑cell engager, formed a strategic partnership to develop and manufacture SND006 with Sinorda Biomedicine, and collaborated with HanchorBio on fusion proteins.

Footprint and ownership

Networks and ownership shifted. WuXi Biologics signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with the Qatar Free Zones Authority for an integrated CRDMO center, Terumo completed the acquisition of a Drug Product Plant in Leverkusen from WuXi Biologics, and ATMP capacity expanded via a partnership to enhance the development and production of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products.

Quality and approvals

Quality and regulatory milestones continued. WuXi Biologics’ Wuxi sites received GMP certification from Türkiye’s TITCK, and its DP5 and DPPC facilities received GMP certifications from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for an ophthalmic biologic. AGC Biologics supported Waskyra, which has received marketing authorization from the U.S. FDA and the European Commission.

Process and digital advances

Process technology advances included the PatroLab digital twin platform for real‑time monitoring and predictive control, Toray’s high‑efficiency separation membrane module for biopharma purification, and Evonik’s collaboration to develop a novel lipid nanoparticle platform for nucleic acid delivery with Ethris.

Inputs and intermediates

Supply inputs progressed with Evonik’s MaxiPure Polysorbate 80 for injectable formulations, Croda’s strategic supply partnership with Amino to launch BioXPro high‑purity histidine and arginine, and Brenntag’s sole distribution partnership with Seqens for non‑GMP pharmaceutical intermediates in Europe.

ESG and capacity signals

Sustainability frameworks strengthened as WuXi Biologics achieved ISO 20400 certification and was awarded an “A” rating by CDP. Capacity expansion continued with Merck’s construction of a $3 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Virginia and full‑year 2025 financial results.

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Owners & Investors

Top 5 companies involved as owner and/or investor in current and planned CDMO projects:

Merck Merck, Sandoz Sandoz, Lonza Lonza, WACKER WACKER, Novo Nordisk Novo Nordisk, WeylChem WeylChem, AGC AGC, Arxada Arxada, and PCI Pharma Services PCI Pharma Services.

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