Munich-headquartered pharmaceutical CDMO, Adragos Pharma, has expanded its global footprint by acquiring Swiss aseptic fill-finish manufacturing company, Baccinex, as it targets expanding its capabilities in sterile production through the acquisition of its sixth worldwide manufacturing site.

Pharmaceutical industry deals have hit a decade-low in 2024, with only 558 deals totalling USD 67.2 bn by late November - the lowest since 2016. The largest biotech purchase of 2024, Vertex's USD 4.9 bn acquisition of Alpine Immune Sciences, is dwarfed by Pfizer's USD 43 bn Seagen takeover in 2023.

The decline in major acquisitions can be attributed to several factors: pharma companies digesting previous large deals, high valuations of listed biotech's deterring potential buyers, a focus on smaller, "bolt-on" deals under USD 5 bn, and antitrust concerns and political uncertainty in an election year.

The term CDMO has become ubiquitous in the pharmaceutical industry over the past decade, but is it merely a buzzword or does it represent a genuine paradigm shift?

Historically, service providers were identified as CROs (Contract Research Organizations) or CMOs (Contract Manufacturing Organizations), with each representing a clear delineation of services. As the biopharma landscape has evolved in response to changing industry dynamics, service providers have evolved to become "one-stop shops" capable of providing services for compounds through all development phases and into post-launch manufacturing.

GSK has entered a partnership with Vesalius Therapeutics to develop treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease and another unspecified neurodegenerative condition. Utilizing its proprietary platform, Vesalius will lead the drug discovery efforts, while GSK will have development and commercialization rights to the preclinical small molecule targeting Parkinson's, along with options to advance other programs.

BioNTech has announced plans to acquire clinical-stage biotechnology company, Biotheus, as the company looks to enhance its oncology strategy. This acquisition will grant BioNTech full global rights to BNT327/PM8002 - and investigational bispecific antibody targeting PD-L1 and VEGF-A - which has shown encouraging clinical activity in various tumor types.

Biotech startup, Metsera, has secured USD 215 mn in a Series B funding round which the company will use to continue developing its portfolio of obesity treatments, including long-acting GLP-1 drug, MET-097i, injectable amylin analog, MET-233i, and oral GLP-1 peptide, MET-002, with plans to explore combination therapies.

AstraZeneca has announced a USD 3.5 bn investment to enhance its biopharmaceutical research and manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. by 2026, creating over 1,000 high-skilled jobs whilst targeting growth within the U.S. biopharmaceutical sector.

UK-based, gene-to-GMP company, Ascend Advanced Therapies, has announced a partnership with EW Healthcare Partners as it targets enhanced U.S. operations and infrastructure. As part of the collaboration, Advanced BioScience Laboratories (ABL), a CDMO based in Rockville, Maryland, and a portfolio company of EW Healthcare Partners, will be integrated into Ascend and combining over three decades of development and manufacturing experience, whilst also expanding Ascend's GMP capacity for adeno-associated virus (AAV) production and fill/finish services.

If you were to launch a biopharma startup today, where would you find the skills, talent, and space to bring your vision to life? Biopharma incubators are usually the answer.

These facilities provide an essential foundation for emerging companies, hosting the vital resources and support needed to drive the development of groundbreaking therapies. Programs like JLABS, BioLabs, and LabCentral provide startups with fully equipped labs, cutting-edge technologies, and access to networks of investors, mentors, and industry experts who can help turn ideas into reality.

Biologics CDMO, Avid Bioservices, Inc., has announced its acquisition by GHO Capital Partners LLP and Ampersand Capital Partners in an all-cash transaction totalling approximately USD 1.1 bn.

Nick Green, president and CEO of Avid, emphasized the benefits of partnering with experienced investors who bring expertise, networks, and capital to strengthen Avid’s foundation, with the new owners aiming to unlock Avid’s potential through expanded offerings, talent investment, and geographic reach, building on recent capacity upgrades and its exemplary team for sustained growth.

Eurofins CDMO Alphora Inc. has announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art GMP biologics facility in Mississauga, Ontario. Scheduled for completion in April 2026, the 50,000-square-foot facility will be part of a new 112,000-square-foot building on Eurofins CDMO Alphora's 14-acre campus within the Sheridan Research Park.

The possible appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to a cabinet position has ignited fierce controversy in the U.S.; raising questions that could reshape the pharmaceutical industry and challenge the direction of federal scientific agencies.

With a well-publicized history of being a vaccine sceptic, Kennedy’s track record suggests a blend of reformist zeal and controversial positions that could redefine the role of agencies he is likely to oversee – the FDA, NIH and CDC.

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.