Pharmaceutical manufacturing is the backbone of global healthcare, yet its environmental footprint is a growing concern. The sector is responsible for significant greenhouse gas emissions, excessive water consumption, and large-scale hazardous waste production.

hVIVO plc., a CRO specializing in human challenge trials, announced it has signed a USD 2.5 mn contract to advance a new biopharmaceutical client’s research in human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Should the current phase of research be deemed a success, and subject to regulatory approval, the final phase of the study is expected to commence in the second half of 2025.

Rovi, the Spanish specialized pharmaceutical company, has announced that its 2024 EBITDA is expected to be 10% to 15% below market consensus, due to reduced activity in its CDMO segment during the fourth quarter.

Over the past 18 months, Minnesota-based CDMO Lifecore Biomedical has moved from being a food business to a pure-play sterile injectable fill-finish CDMO. To support its transition, the company announced the installation of a high-speed, GMP-ready five-head isolator filler to double its production capacity and target USD 130 mn revenue for its 2025 fiscal year.

Novartis has inaugurated its first specialized viral vector production facility in Europe, named VIFA One, located in Mengeš, Slovenia. The USD 42 mn investment enhances the company's research and manufacturing capabilities -particularly in cell and gene therapies, and Novartis will also offer contract manufacturing from the site.

Specialty CDMO, Recipharm, has launched a state-of-the-art modular sterile filling system at its facility in Wasserburg, Germany. Operating within a Grade A isolator, the GMP suite is designed for process development, pilot- and clinical-scale supply projects and will support various container types, including pre-filled syringes and liquid vials, with batch capabilities from 500 to 50,000 units.

Novo Holdings, which acquired Catalent for USD 16.5 bn last year, is considering doubling the size of the CDMO, according to Jonathan Levy, the partner who led the deal. While the acquisition primarily secured three fill/finish sites for Novo Nordisk's weight loss and diabetes drugs, Novo Holdings has yet to clarify its plans for Catalent’s broader network.

Novartis announced an agreement to acquire Anthos, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is developing abelacimab, a promising anticoagulant for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation patients. Novartis will make an upfront payment of USD 925 million with potential additional payments of up to USD 2.15 billion upon achievement of specified regulatory and sales milestones.

Multi-industry manufacturer, Jabil, has completed the acquisition of Pharmaceutics International, Inc. (Pii), a CDMO specializing in aseptic filling, lyophilization, and oral solid dose manufacturing, as the company looks to expand its expertise in parenteral drug delivery which includes GLP-1 treatments and manufacturing services.

Leading CDMO, Alcami, has announced the appointment of Tori E. Arens as President of Drug Product. With over 25 years’ experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, Arens will oversee Alcami's cGMP drug product manufacturing operations, including sterile fill-finish facilities in North and South Carolina, as well as oral solid dose manufacturing, packaging, and labeling in North Carolina.

API and ADC manufacturer, Axplora, has announced a USD 52 m investment at its site in Mourenx, France, to enhance large-scale API production and chromatography capabilities. Construction is set to begin immediately, with manufacturing output expected to commence in 2026.

India’s pharmaceutical industry has long been synonymous with cost-effective pharmaceutical manufacturing - particularly when it comes to generic drugs. In recent years, India has been making a significant shift from low-cost generic drug production into CDMO services.

German biopharma, Eleva, and global CDMO, 3PBIOVIAN, have announced a strategic partnership to secure production capacity at 3PBIOVIAN for the clinical-grade material needed to advance its current pipeline programs (Factor H (CPV-104) for C3G and dry AMD) into mid- to late-stage clinical development.

South Korean biopharma, Inventage Lab, is investing USD 17 mn in South Korean vaccine developer, Quratis, to secure a 40% stake and management rights in the company and strengthen its own long-acting injectable (LAI) drug platform and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology for mRNA vaccines and gene therapies.

Catalent, the global CDMO now in the ownership of Novo Holdings, has partnered with Belgian biotech, Galapagos NV, to expand decentralized manufacturing for GLPG5101 - an investigational CAR-T therapy for relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Catalent will support Galapagos’ upcoming clinical trials in the New Jersey and New York regions by leveraging its cell therapy facility located in Princeton, New Jersey.

Lantheus Holdings, a radiopharmaceutical company specializing in diagnostics and targeted therapeutics, has announced an agreement to acquire Evergreen Theragnostics, a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company engaged in CDMO services and proprietary product commercialization. The deal includes an upfront payment of USD 250 mn, with potential milestone payments reaching up to USD 752.5 mn.

DNA CDMO, Touchlight, has appointed Will Downie as a key adviser to advance its genetic medicine initiatives. Downie brings 30+ years’ experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, having previously served as CEO of Argenta and Vectura Group, and before that as Senior VP and Chief Commercial Officer at Catalent.

French biotech, SeaBeLife's, has announced promising preclinical trial results for its drug candidate, SBL03, an ophthalmic gel aimed at treating geographic atrophy (GA), a severe form of age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD). The gel - a dual inhibitor of regulated necrotic cell death - demonstrated significant protection of retinal structure and function after repeated topical applications.

Thermo Fisher is continuing staff layoffs with the expected announcement to lay off 300 workers at its viral vector manufacturing facilities in Cambridge and Plainville, Massachusetts. This comes in addition to the 160 job cuts announced in November last year - which resulted in jobs cuts across Cambridge and Plainville, as well as at its Lexington manufacturing facility.

Leading global biopharmaceutical CDMO, Rentschler Biopharma SE, has announced its intention to withdraw from the cell and gene therapy sector, ceasing operations at its Stevenage, UK site. Instead, it will concentrate on biologics in response to, it says, evolving market conditions and client needs, so that it can focus on sustainable growth and innovation.