Otsuka Pharmaceutical and ICU Medical have entered a strategic partnership to strengthen the supply of intravenous (IV) solutions in North America. This collaboration aims to address existing shortages and improve the reliability of IV solution availability for healthcare providers. By combining Otsuka's pharmaceutical expertise with ICU Medical's manufacturing capabilities, the partnership seeks to enhance production efficiency and ensure a consistent supply of essential IV products across the region.

SEKISUI Diagnostics' microbial CDMO business - BioProduction by SEKISUI - has announced it has completed its USD 20.7 mn cGMP capacity expansion for clinical-grade drug substance manufacturing at its site in Kent, UK. Upon license approval, the company will be able to expand manufacturing capabilities for common drug types, with microbial fermentation and purification suites that will accommodate production scales up to 1,000L.

UK pharmaceutical company, Accord Healthcare, has secured a USD 63 mn joint investment with the UK government to enhance its Fawdon facility in Newcastle upon Tyne. The funding will introduce new production lines for a novel cancer drug and two autoimmune injectables, creating over 50 skilled jobs and ensuring the plant's long-term viability.

Swiss CDMO, Lonza, has announced its plans to expand its bioconjugation capabilities in Visp, Switzerland, by adding two multipurpose 1,200-liter manufacturing suites and supporting infrastructure, which are expected to be operational by 2028 and will create approximately 200 new jobs.

Novo Nordisk has announced plans to gradually discontinue the production of human insulin pens worldwide, transitioning to offering human insulin exclusively in vial form. The strategic move comes as the company focuses on expanding manufacturing for its popular obesity and diabetes injections, such as Wegovy and Ozempic.

Thermo Fisher Scientific is restructuring its viral vector services, resulting in the closure of its Cambridge, Massachusetts facility and the elimination of 160 jobs, as part of a broader strategy to consolidate operations and enhance efficiency in viral vector manufacturing.

SCHOTT Pharma has launched a state-of-the-art production facility in Lukácsháza, Hungary, focused on high-quality pre-fillable glass syringes. Supported by a USD 9.7 mn local government investment, the facility strengthens SCHOTT’s European competitiveness and global supply security for pharmaceutical companies, amongst the rising demand for prefillable syringes used in GLP-1 drugs, vaccines, and biologics.

Earlier this year, the FTC requested additional information regarding Novo Holdings’ proposed acquisition of Catalent, but now, the EU antitrust regulators have announced they are probing the deal for anti-competitiveness impacts surrounding injectables, pre-filled syringes, orally dissolved pills and soft gels.

Aptar has been recognized by Forbes as one of the World's Top Companies for Women in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year of this honor. The company secured the 41st position out of 400 companies evaluated. This recognition underscores Aptar's commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Notably, women comprise 50% of Aptar's Board of Directors and 37% of its executive committee.

Viral vector development CDMO, Matica Biotechnology Inc, has signed a Letter of Intent to allow U.S.-based biotech, KaliVir Immunotherapeutics, to develop advanced cancer therapies using Matica Bio’s Vaccinia Enhanced Template (VET™) platform.

The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of KaliVir's oncolytic virus therapies by focusing on a new manufacturing process using Matica Bio’s proprietary MatiMax™ cell line for the process.

The FDA has removed Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug, Wegovy, from its drug shortage list, indicating that all dose strengths are now available, as Novo Nordisk's efforts to increase production meet the high demand for GLP-1 therapies like Wegovy and Ozempic.

The FDA's action comes shortly after removing Eli Lilly's tirzepatide-based drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound, from the shortage list.

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.

Laboratorios Farmacéuticos Rovi, the Spanish headquartered pharmaceutical manufacturer, CDMO and R&D company, has decided to retain its CDMO business after evaluating several non-binding offers and deciding that continuing with its current strategic plan will maximize value for its existing shareholders.

Rovi had previously explored the potential of a sale of its CDMO segment - which includes manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines for Moderna – but rejected all five offers from potential buyers.

Following an all-time high price, Indian drug discovery company, Piramal Pharma, has announced plans to allocate approximately $85 mn for the current fiscal year to expand capacity and address maintenance and de-bottlenecking at its CDMO sites.

Chairperson Nandini Piramal stated that around $30 mn has already been invested in the first half of the fiscal year, with plans to expand its sterile injectables facility in Lexington, Kentucky, by FY27 as the company aims to surpass $2 bn in revenue by FY30.

Radiopharmaceutical CDMO, NorthStar Medical, has inaugurated a 52,000-square-foot Radiopharmaceutical CDMO facility in Beloit, Wisconsin, to become the only U.S.-based company housing commercial scale radioisotope production and CDMO services at the same facility.

The new facility will develop and manufacture key medical radioisotopes - including Ac-225, Lu-177, Cu-64, Cu-67, and In-111 - as the company plans to support biopharmaceutical companies in advancing diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, particularly for cancer treatment.

MilliporeSigma, the life sciences division of Merck KGaA in the U.S. and Canada, is investing $76 mn to expand its ADC production facility in St. Louis, which will triple the site's current capacity, improve process and analytical development labs, and include new manufacturing spaces, labs, and cold storage, creating 170 new jobs in the process.

The announcement follows a similar investment in 2022, where the company invested $65 mn at its Verona, Wisconsin facility, as it looks to expand production capabilities to meet the ever-growing demand for its services.

Leading CDMO for biopharmaceuticals, Rentschler Biopharma SE, has announced plans to commence construction of a new buffer media station at its headquarters in Laupheim, Germany, from next year.

The facility, spanning 3,400 square meters and expected to be operational by 2028, will enhance production efficiency and modernize the site to meet evolving client and patient needs. The four-story building will house advanced equipment, including media and buffer tanks, ensuring high standards of hygiene, safety, and automation, whilst also supporting Rentschler's sustainability goals and improving employee ergonomics.

The UK government has pledged up to £520 mn through the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF) to drive economic growth and enhance the National Health Service (NHS). The fund will support capital investments across the life sciences sector - providing grants for the manufacture of human medicines, including active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished products, medical diagnostics for disease identification and monitoring, and MedTech products related to human health.

The initiative aims to strengthen the UK’s position in life sciences while simultaneously ensuring the NHS is equipped for future healthcare needs, as well as to support innovation and expand manufacturing capabilities across the UK.

Bora Pharmaceuticals has announced its acquisition of U.S.-based Pyros Pharmaceuticals.

Founded in 2017, Pyros recently launched VIGAFYDE™ (vigabatrin), the first and only ready-to-use oral solution for infantile spasms, a rare and severe form of epilepsy in young children. Approved by the FDA in June 2024, VIGAFYDE simplifies dosing and provides much-needed treatment for pediatric patients.

Bora's CEO, Bobby Sheng, highlighted the synergies between Pyros' innovative research and Upsher-Smith’s expertise in pediatric CNS conditions, foreseeing enhanced patient outcomes through this powerful alliance. Pyros co-founder and CEO, Michael Smith, expressed excitement about the partnership, emphasizing the shared mission of improving care for rare disease patients. The acquisition follows Bora’s recent purchases of Upsher-Smith Laboratories and TWi Pharmaceuticals, reinforcing its rapid global growth in the CDMO and commercial prescription sectors.

Vernal Biosciences has appointed Jim Petrilla as CEO and Board Member, as the company focuses on strategic growth as an mRNA and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) manufacturing leader.

With over 25 years in biopharma and clinical research, Petrilla brings a wealth of operational excellence expertise in leadership roles at major biopharma firms such as Bristol-Myers Squibb and Becton Dickinson, where he spearheaded transformative projects, achieved substantial revenue growth, and led a global NDA filing.

Petrilla succeeds founder Christian Cobaugh, Ph.D., who will now focus on his role as Chief Scientific Officer within the company.