Eli Lilly has requested to join a lawsuit opposing compounding pharmacies and the FDA over the agency's determination that Lilly's weight-loss and diabetes drugs are no longer in shortage.

Israeli biopharmaceutical company Scinai Immunotherapeutics has launched a U.S.-based CDMO subsidiary, Scinai Bioservices Inc., in Delaware, following the launch of its CDMO unit at the company's HQ in Jerusalem, Israel last year. CEO Amir Reichman announced the company’s first U.S. contract with Serpin Pharma for clinical manufacturing and expressed optimism about the growth potential of their U.S. presence.

South Korean Biopharma, Celltrion Group, is bolstering its CDMO services with a new research center in India which will operated by the newly established subsidiary Celltrion BioSolutions. With an initial capital of USD 6.9 mn, the manufacturing capacity will start at 100,000 liters to serve Celltrion's internal needs, with potential expansion to 200,000 liters. The company aims to recruit or internally train 500 Ph.D.-level scientists to support its sites in Korea, the U.S., Europe, and India.

ActiGraph, a leader in wearable digital health technology, has acquired Biofourmis Connect, a division of Biofourmis specializing in AI-driven digital trial platforms for life sciences.

In addition to rebranding itself from BioDuro-Sundia, BioDuro, the global contract research, development and manufacturing organization (CRDMO) announced it has achieved Gold Medal ratings in the 2024 EcoVadis sustainability assessment for its Jiangsu and Shanghai Free Trade Zone (FTZ) sites in China.

Novo Holdings has finalized its USD 16.5 bn acquisition of leading CDMO, Catalent, after the deal passed months of debate over potential antitrust issues involving U.S. authorities and the European Commission.

The European CDMO industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by a shift toward localized manufacturing. In a bid to enhance supply chain security, ensure compliance with EU regulations, and improve logistical efficiency, the industry has seen a rise in "friend-shoring", whereby European companies are increasingly favoring European neighbors over those on other continents.

The CDMO industry saw significant growth in 2024, as biotech and pharmaceutical companies continued the trend toward outsourcing R&D activities. This surge was evident in the global CDMO market value, which ended the year with a valuation of USD 185 billion.

SCHOTT Pharma, the pharma drug containment solutions and delivery systems company, has unveiled a groundbreaking nest design for ready-to-use cartridges to improve operational efficiency and sustainability for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

French biotech, Samabriva, has unveiled a significant expansion with a new 1,400-square-meter biomanufacturing facility located in Liege, Belgium, to aid the transition from research and development to industrial-scale production. The state-of-the-art facility is equipped with proprietary bioreactors specifically designed for hairy root culture, enabling the production of natural molecules for pharmaceutical applications.

German CDMO Adragos Pharma has acquired Swiss manufacturer Baccinex, marking the addition of its sixth global manufacturing site and strengthening its position in sterile manufacturing. The facility, based in Courroux, Switzerland, specializes in fill-finish services for clinical trials and small-to-medium-scale commercial production. It will continue to operate under the leadership of founder and CEO Ursula Bausch.

Biomanufacturing CDMO, National Resilience, has announced plans to lay off approximately 105 employees at its Alachua, Florida facility as part of a strategic pivot away from government business toward commercial development and manufacturing. The restructuring coincides with a leadership change, as CEO Rahul Singhvi steps down and is replaced by William Marth. However, the company will continue to expand elsewhere, including a USD 225 mn investment in Cincinnati and creating 440 new jobs at its West Chester, Ohio facility.

Massachusetts biotech Agenus is undergoing its second reorganization in 16 months, pivoting to include CDMO services at its 25,000-square-foot Berkeley clinical facility and 83,000-square-foot Emeryville commercial plant for third-party biologics manufacturing.

The European Commission has granted unconditional approval for Novo Holdings A/S to acquire Catalent, Inc., with the acquisition expected to close by the end of 2024. Catalent's CEO Alessandro Maselli has welcomed the approval, while Novo Holdings' Senior Partner Jonathan Levy affirmed their commitment to supporting Catalent's future growth. The transaction remains subject to final regulatory clearances and closing conditions.

South Korean pharma, Boryung Corp., has announced a partnership with Taiwanese CDMO Lotus Pharmaceutical, for services focused on cytotoxic drugs and will take on the role of manufacturing an anticancer injection for Lotus.

The BIOSECURE Act - intended to address national security concerns by restricting U.S. government contracts with certain Chinese biotechnology companies - has been omitted from the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), providing a temporary reprieve to targeted Chinese firms like WuXi AppTec, WuXi Biologics, and BGI Group.

Californian-based, SK pharmteco, has announced a brand unification initiative, bringing together several respected organizations under its umbrella to create a global CDMO. SK biotek, SK biotek Ireland, Center for Breakthrough Medicines, Yposkesi, AMPAC Fine Chemicals, and AMPAC Analytical, will now combine to operate as SK pharmteco, providing a comprehensive range of services from early-stage development to commercial manufacturing and analytical testing.

India-based CDMO, OneSource Specialty Pharma, is expanding its capacity to manufacture GLP-1 drug-device combinations, driven by growing global demand for diabetes and obesity treatments. The company, which specializes in drug-device combinations, including cartridge filling, assembly, and fill-finish, recently raised funding through equity issuance to fund this expansion.

Swiss manufacturing company, Lonza, has announced a strategic shift to focus on its CDMO business. The company will restructure its existing CDMO business into three new units - integrated biologics, advanced synthesis, and specialized modalities - as it focuses on its ambition to achieve and maintain leadership across therapeutic modalities.

Overall, 2024 was a good year to be working in the CDMO industry, but will the outlook stay positive for 2025?

Forecasts predict a steady rise in continuing growth trends from 2024, with estimates indicating the global pharmaceutical CDMO market is set to grow from USD 184.90 bn in 2024 to USD 197.40 bn in 2025, and looking further ahead, predicted to reach USD 368.70 bn by 2034.