PharmaSource Podcast

"There are not that many European CDMOs with commercial expertise in cell therapy - who understand the regulatory requirements and production challenges when you have to manufacture large quantities on a regular basis. This is why we ended up with a very short list of two or three potential suppliers." CellProthera's recent announcement [https://pharmasource.global/content/news/cdmo-news/cellprothera-selects-cellforcure-by-seqens-as-cdmo-partner-for-phase-3-protheracytes-trial/] of its manufacturing partnership with SEQENS for Phase III trials marks a pivotal moment in the French biotech's journey from research lab to commercial reality. The eight-month technology transfer process now underway represents years of strategic planning and hard-won lessons about scaling cell therapy manufacturing. In an exclusive interview, Matthieu De Kalbermatten, CEO of CellProthera, reveals the detailed selection process that led to choosing CELLforCURE by SEQENS as their manufacturing partner. His insights offer a rare glimpse into how biotechs navigate the complex transition from early development to commercial-scale production. Read article [https://pharmasource.global/content/podcast/inside-cellprotheras-strategic-seqens-partnership-scaling-cell-therapy-from-lab-to-commercial-reality/]

“My ambition for being a CDMO is that there will always be technical challenges, but I want to be transparent about the challenge and provide options to a customer.” Hanns-Christian Mahler, CEO of ten23 health, brings 15 years of sponsor-side experience to his current role leading a sterile product CDMO focused on drug product development, manufacturing and testing. His unique perspective from both sides of the outsourcing relationship provides valuable insights into building successful partnerships. In the latest PharmaSource podcast episode recorded at CDMO Live 2025, Hanns explains why transparency, realistic planning and early development integration are essential strategies for avoiding costly manufacturing failures and building sustainable relationships. Read more [https://pharmasource.global/content/podcast/building-better-cdmo-relationships-ten23-healths-blueprint-for-successful-pharmaceutical-partnerships/]

Leaders from the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI) and Manufacture 2030 outlined the mounting pressure on contract manufacturers to address sustainability at CDMO Live 2025, with major pharma companies now making emissions reduction a prerequisite for business relationships. The Climate-Healthcare Connection Rob Williams, Senior Director of Sustainable Procurement at AstraZeneca and Chair of PSCI, opened with a stark reality check about healthcare's environmental impact. "Healthcare contributes 5% of global emissions. That's actually more than aviation, which is often pointed out as being one of the poster children of the problem we're creating," Williams revealed. The connection between climate change and healthcare is becoming increasingly clear, with WHO recognising climate impacts as a major health issue. "Whether it's increased temperatures, whether it's intensity of storms, whether it's flooding... all of those organisations recognise that as the climate is changing, it's presenting impacts on human health," Williams explained. Martin Chilcott, CEO and founder of Manufacture 2030, added critical context: "It's not just the headline acts of malaria and cholera that we're talking about moving with temperature changes, but also it's the migration patterns... 120 million people on the move because of the unlivability of the world in which they exist." Download the full report [https://pharmasource.global/content/expert-insight/cdmo-live-report-2025-download/]

“Nobody knows exactly what will happen, so making yourself anxious about unknowns doesn’t help. You must be prepared for multiple scenarios, ready and flexible to react quickly when changes do occur.” Maik Talarczyk, Director of PMO Office and Strategy in External Manufacturing Operations at Sandoz, brings extensive expertise in managing external manufacturing relationships and strategic operations for one of the world’s largest generic pharmaceutical companies, with over 20,000 employees worldwide. In this episode recorded at CDMO Live 2025 in Rotterdam, Maik shares how Sandoz navigates tremendous complexity and uncertainty in pharmaceutical manufacturing while managing hundreds of external partners. His insights reveal a methodical approach to preparedness, partnership management, and strategic planning in an increasingly unpredictable global landscape. Read more [https://pharmasource.global/content/podcast/how-sandoz-navigates-uncertainty-with-400-external-manufacturing-partners/]

CDMO Live 2025 Highlights: How Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Leo Pharma are rebuilding manufacturing strategies * Complexity Challenge: With thousands of SKUs to manage (Bayer handles 5,000+, half outsourced), companies struggle with aging portfolios and aggressive commercial expansion. * Geopolitical Reshuffling: A staggering 62% of pharma companies are restructuring their manufacturing footprints in response to global tensions. * Different Resilience Approaches: - Boehringer Ingelheim (family-owned) maintains dual sourcing despite higher costs - Leo Pharma focuses on strategic partnerships for smaller-volume products - Bayer's "Project Martini" shifts from Euro-centric to regional production * AI Adoption: Still early days, but promising applications in contract management, document processing, and predictive maintenance are emerging. * Sustainability Shift: While not top priority, sustainability is increasingly viewed as both an ethical necessity and long-term cost reducer. Bottom Line: The industry is moving from pure cost optimization to balancing affordability with resilience. As Blue Jet Healthcare's MD put it: "resilience is becoming as important as costs." Download the full report [https://pharmasource.global/content/expert-insight/cdmo-live-report-2025-download/]