Korean biopharmaceutical company, Celltrion, has secured a $72.8 mn contract with TEVA Pharmaceuticals International for the development and manufacturing of the migraine treatment Ajovy.

The contract – which only runs until July 30, 2025 - represents 4.6% of Celltrion’s 2023 revenue but plans to establish a fully owned CDMO subsidiary by the end of 2024, with facility expansion set for next year.

Samsung has locked down a $1.2 bn contract with an unnamed Asia-based pharmaceutical company that’s expected to run through December 2037.

The manufacturing project, which will be carried out at Samsung’s biomanufacturing site in the Songdo area of Incheon, South Korea, brings the company’s total new contract value for the year to more than $3.3 bn.

In addition, the company is on track to complete its fifth production plant in Korea by the end of 2024 - a dedicated ADC facility in Incheon - which will add 180 kL to its existing 784 kL capacity and expected to go online in April 2025.

Radiopharmaceutical CDMO, SpectronRx, and Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, have announced advanced plans to establish a European radiopharmaceutical CDMO (rCDMO) facility, on the Belgian Nuclear Research Center premises in Mol, Belgium.

The collaboration will see both companies working together to meet the rising demand for radioisotopes, particularly Actinium-225, which plays a crucial role in targeted radiotherapies for cancer treatment. The facility will offer end-to-end solutions, from isotope production to radiopharmaceutical development and manufacturing, and strengthen Europe's position in the radiotherapy market.

Pharma multinational, Sanofi, and pioneers in targeted alpha therapies in oncology, Orano Med, have entered a partnership to develop next-generation radioligand therapies (RLTs) using lead-212 alpha-emitting isotopes, which follows a recent announcement between Orano Med, RadioMedia and Sanofi to advance RLTs in rare cancers, focusing on one late-stage project, AlphaMedix™.

Targeted alpha therapy relies on combining the ability of biological vectors to target cancer cells with the short-range and highly energetic cell-killing capabilities of alpha-emitting radioisotopes. The vector directs the radioisotope to the target cancer cells expressing the specific marker. This unique mechanism of action aims to damage or destroy target cancer cells, while limiting impact on nearby healthy cells.

Chinese clinical-stage biotech company, LaNova Medicines, has raised $42 mn in a Series C1 funding round as it pursues innovations focusing on tumor microenvironment and developing innovative drugs for tumor specificity targeted ADCs and immunoregulatory large molecules.

The company plans to use the funding to speed up clinical progress of its products at clinical phase - including LM-302 and LM-108 - and develop an antibody platform, next-generation ADC technology platform, and dual-antibody technology platform.

Following promising preclinical results, the company has initiated its first-in-human clinical trial for LM-299, an anti-PD-1/VEGF BsAb targeting advanced solid tumors.

TuHURA Biosciences, a phase 3 immuno-oncology firm, has merged with Kintara Therapeutics, a developer of novel cancer therapies. The newly combined entity - continuing to trade as TuHURA Biosciences - will focus on advancing innovative cancer therapies, including their immune response agonist IFx-2.0 and tumor microenvironment modulators as the company seeks to overcome resistance to current immunotherapies.

Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical - OnKure Therapeutics - has finalized its merger with Reneo Pharmaceuticals and raised $65 mn through a private investment as the company looks to accelerate the development of their mutant-specific PI3Kα inhibitor portfolio.

AstraZeneca has signed an exclusive license agreement with CSPC Pharmaceutical Group for a preclinical small molecule called YS2302018. The molecule, an oral Lp(a) disruptor, will be developed as a lipid-lowering therapy alone or in combination with AstraZeneca’s oral PCSK9 inhibitor, AZD0780, as the company targets dyslipidaemia - a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and stroke.

Biotech startup Judo Bio has secured $100 mn in funding to pioneer oligonucleotide medicines delivered to the kidney using a novel approach to create medicines. Preclinical studies successfully demonstrated the receptor-mediated delivery of oligonucleotides with proprietary ligand-siRNA conjugates that silence multiple target genes. The financing will be used to advance the lead ligand-siRNA conjugate to the clinic and to further build the company’s proprietary STRIKE (Selectively Targeting RNA Into KidnEy) platform. Rajiv Patni, a seasoned pharmaceutical leader including roles at Pfizer, Roche, and Actelion, has been appointed as CEO to steer the company's growth.

South Korean vaccine developer, SK bioscience, has completed the acquisition of German CDMO IDT Biologika as the company looks to double its sales by 2028 by investing in high-growth businesses that include late-stage cell and gene therapy (CGT) and recombinant vaccines.

As part of the ambition, the company is expected to launch next-generation pneumococcal vaccines, maximize the utilization rate of IDT Biologika’s drug substance and drug product manufacturing facilities, and add additional cell line manufacturing and recombinant vaccine development technologies to pursue new CDMO contracts for mid- to large-scale products.

Sanner Group has acquired Gilero LLC to strengthen its global medical device offerings. This acquisition enhances Sanner’s capabilities across drug delivery, diagnostics, and medtech device sectors, expanding its footprint in the US, Mexico, and Ireland. Gilero’s expertise in design, development, and contract manufacturing complements Sanner’s strategic growth plan to become a leading provider of end-to-end solutions in the medical technology field.

Nanoform and Celanese have expanded their collaboration to develop long-acting biologic drug delivery using small implants. This partnership combines Nanoform’s nanoparticle technology with the Celanese VitalDose® drug delivery platform to create controlled-release implants for biologics, and includes work on a new treatment for Multiple Sclerosis. The collaboration aims to improve patient adherence and outcomes through high-drug loading and customized release.

Pace Life Sciences has acquired Catalent’s small molecule analytical laboratories in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Pace said that the acquisition strengthens its ability to provide comprehensive analytical services for early-stage drug development through to commercialization, expands its U.S. network, and enhances its ability to support clients with faster and more reliable solutions.

Just prior to the show, Adare Pharma Solutions announced a partnership with Laxxon Medical to introduce cGMP 3D printing capabilities at Adare’s Pessano facility in Milan. Using technology licensed from Exentis Group, the collaboration will produce advanced 3D-printed oral dosage forms that offer customizable drug release profiles and enhanced bioavailability. Adare will add the capability to its Vandalia, Ohio, site by the end of 2024.

Adare, the global technology-driven oral dose CDMO, will mark CPHI with the announcement that it has partnered with Laxxon Medical to provide GMP 3D oral dose printing from Adare’s Pessano facility in Milan.

Serán BioScience, the development-stage CDMO based in Bend, Oregon, has secured a $200 mn investment from Bain Capital to support the building of its first large-scale commercial manufacturing facility. The new site will enhance Serán’s capabilities in drug development and production to support a growing pipeline of pharmaceutical innovations.

The U.S. company’s initial public offering (IPO) on the Nasdaq index raised $362 mn, which the company says it will use to support pivotal Phase 2/3 trials for its lead asset - ficerafusp alfa - targeting head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The listing follows a broader uptick in biotech IPO activity, with Zenas BioPharma and MBX Biosciences also going public, marking one of the busiest biotech IPO weeks in 2024. 

Global electronics company Molex, through its subsidiary Phillips Medisize, has entered into an agreement to acquire Vectura Group Limited from Philip Morris International. Vectura, based in the UK, specializes in inhalation drug delivery, including device and formulation development for dry powder inhalers, metered dose inhalers, and nebulizer products.

Agilent Technologies has completed its acquisition of BIOVECTRA, a Canadian CDMO specializing in biologics, highly potent pharmaceuticals, and targeted therapeutics. Now part of Agilent's Diagnostics and Genomics Group, the acquisition will enhance Agilent's portfolio with advanced manufacturing capabilities for gene editing and biologics production.

Sanner Group, the healthcare packaging and medical device CDMO, has announced it has acquired Gilero, a medical device designer, developer, and contract manufacturer headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. The acquisition helps position Sanner as a leading provider of end-to-end services across drug delivery, diagnostics, and MedTech device sectors. Gilero brings with it 130 engineers based across facilities in the U.S., Mexico, and Ireland.