It’s hard to get a handle on just how much the contract manufacturing market is worth. One report says this, another says that. For example, Visiongain estimates that the pharmaceutical contract manufacturing market will reach $93 billion in 2022 at a CAGR of six percent. Data from Modor Intelligence says the market will be worth $146 billion by 2023, growing eight percent per year. Who’s right, who’s wrong? Who knows?

While concrete figures are elusive, the market for pharmaceutical services outsourcing has grown to become a multi-billion dollar industry that is robust and being driven in high gear by the emergence of the biopharma segment, rising consolidation of big pharma, demand for expertise in injectable dose formulations, and the expansion of traditional CMOs into early stages of drug development.

As the pharma outsourcing market continues to grow and mature, it continues to create a broader spectrum of outsourcing models, ranging from one-off contracts to preferred provider and strategic partnership agreements, and from tactical staffing arrangements to complex, strategic, full-service models, according to Colin Stanley of ICON Functional Services. There are also ‘blended’ outsourcing models such as hybrid full service and FSP, he says in Global Out-sourcing Strategies. “No one size fits all—indeed within large pharma, it is typical to find a range of models, or mixed-model delivery—used depending on needs.”

Touting the benefits of the one-stop-shop CDMO, David Brett from Vetter says that one provider for many solutions can offer support for the entire product value chain right from the start. In his article he says that today many pharma and biotech companies frequently look to CDMOs that have the high-level of expertise needed to help them achieve their goals and successfully cover all aspects of the processes involved.

“An early and carefully planned drug development process is essential to achieve success,” he says. “With little room for error, outside expertise is a good approach for improving success rates and maintaining product and process knowledge across the entire value chain. For many [drug] companies, reducing the number of service providers is also the desired approach as it reduces business complexity and also offers benefits over the long-term.”

If you’re looking for the right drug development and manufacturing partner, Contract Pharma will be hosting our 17th Contracting & Outsourcing Conference and Tabletop Exhibition, Sept. 27-28 at the Hyatt in New Brunswick, NJ. It is the industry’s premiere one-stop-shop for all your outsourcing needs. From early development support to commercial filling and secondary packaging, a wide range of contract service providers will be on hand to discuss whatever challenges you may be facing or services required.

For more information visit the conference website here. If you haven’t registered there’s still time! Visit conference.contractpharma.com and/or come to the Hyatt in New Brunswick to sign up on-site. Either way, make sure you’re a part of the industry’s leading event dedicated to Pharma and Biopharma Outsourcing. Hope to see you there!



Tim Wright, Editor
twright@rodmanmedia.com