Chemical Industry News, Data & Insights

CDMO

Chemical industry CDMO (contract development and manufacturing organization) news

Recent developments

Capacity expansions

CDMO capacity expanded across regions. WuXi Biologics will build its first Middle East site via an agreement with the Qatar Free Zones Authority. Terumo bolstered European fill‑finish by completing the acquisition of a Drug Product Plant in Leverkusen. Merck began construction of a $3 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Elkton, Virginia. Advanced therapy scale‑up gained a transatlantic connection via BBG Advanced Therapies and CELLforCURE.

Innovation ecosystems

Eli Lilly expanded incubator support with a new Lilly Gateway Labs site in Philadelphia. Separately, Lilly and Indiana University committed up to $40 million to expand access to clinical trials in Indiana, including AI-enabled infrastructure.

Supply chain and distribution

Brenntag Specialties secured exclusive European rights for more than 30 non‑GMP intermediates through its sole distribution partnership with Seqens. In nucleic acids, MGC and Cirena agreed to negotiate an exclusive contract for Japan, leveraging long‑chain RNA synthesis up to 300 bases.

Drug delivery and inputs

Evonik advanced targeted oral delivery by launching GMP‑grade EUDRACAP colon functional capsules. Nucleic acid delivery progressed via Evonik and Ethris’ LNP collaboration. Upstream quality inputs expanded as Croda and Amino introduced BioXPro high‑purity amino acids for formulation and biomanufacturing.

Quality and ESG

WuXi reported additional regulatory credentials through TITCK GMP certification for three Wuxi facilities. Recognition included inclusion in the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index, an MSCI AAA ESG rating, and CDP “A” ratings for climate and water.

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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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