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Ask the Expert

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A “Plan, Prevent, Prove” Approach

Pharmapack Europe 2026: Geopolitical Impacts on Pharmaceutical Packaging

Current geopolitical rhetoric, particularly from the United States, is driving a shift in how manufacturers approach partnerships and supply chain planning. Instead of seeking global "optimal" capabilities, companies are increasingly focusing on North American and European regional support, according to 

 in this part 2 of a 2-part interview (check out 

part 1 on sustainability, specialization, and digitalization in packaging

). While the full material impact of these shifts may take years to realize, manufacturers are already announcing significant investments in US physical footprints to increase capacity. These changes are often capacity-driven, reflecting a strategic move to support regional capabilities rather than a purely political reaction.

How are strategic packaging and waste reduction enhancing pharma manufacturing?

As the industry looks toward 2026, the role of the expert packaging partner is becoming more vital, especially for innovative biotech companies that lack extensive internal manufacturing networks. Packaging is the critical final step before distribution; specialized expertise in this area helps to control fulfillment lead times and delivery schedules, reduce financial risks associated with tied-up capital in stock, and minimize product wastage, ensuring more medicine reaches patients.

Sustainability is also a primary focus for the future, moving beyond eco-friendly materials to encompass the efficient use and control of the drug products themselves.

Industry leaders are currently utilizing forums like Pharmapack Europe to showcase global platforms that support both oral solid doses and injectables across the US and Europe. These efforts are bolstered by new facility build-outs in the US, signaling a commitment to maintaining a robust, multi-regional presence. This evolution reflects a growing consciousness regarding how and where packaging occurs to ensure long-term supply chain reliability and availability for patients.

Tjoapack, booth 4D118, will be highlighting its packaging solutions at 

, which is being held in Paris on January 21 and 22.

Editor's note: This transcript is a lightly edited rendering of the original audio/video content. It may contain errors, informal language, or omissions as spoken in the original recording.

Has the geopolitical atmosphere for the past few years impacted how contract manufacturers are approaching partnerships or investments?

Yes, definitely. You know, as far as real, true impact of, you know, predominantly the rhetoric coming out of the US government, of what real, material impact that has on, sort of the supply chain, of the pharmaceutical sector. I think that's still really to be seen. You know, these changes take years, so I don't think we have seen where things are going yet, but certainly the conversation has shifted quite a lot. Where before we, you know, we're looking at, okay, what sort of capabilities are more optimal for a type of product, and where do we have that, either in Europe or the United States. It's more regional conversation. You know, how can, how can we have a North American supply chain? How can, you know, how can you guys at your park support you know that capability regionally and vice versa in Europe, so that that certainly has shifted, you know, conversations we have with customers and how they're approaching supply chain planning in terms of investments. Well, I mean lots of big announcements of obviously, investments in the United States in terms of physical footprint. US among them, I'd say ours is more capacity driven, rather really geopolitical. It's not a geopolitical decision. But, yeah, I think the real impact of that is still very much years in the future, you know, and let's see what actually comes of those five years down, down the road. Great. Okay, last

What do you anticipate for 2026 and beyond? For pharma packaging?

I think that you know, the trend for the more niche service provider, you know, like ourselves, and particularly being at this sort of end of the pharmaceutical manufacturing chain. You know, packaging is sort of the final step before distribution, of course, in the importance of a real expert player. Well, I mean, I'm tooting our own horn, of course, so somewhat bias and biased opinion, but we see a real value for certain type of customers or. Albeit more certainly the biotech and more innovative type companies that may not have expanded manufacturing supply chain networks and teams that can support them, the benefits of having a real expertise on this final assembly piece before distribution can make a lot of difference in controlling waste in your supply chain, controlling delivery times and fulfillment lead times. You know, the activity of packaging is obviously not the most complicated or the most scientific, but when you do it and where you do it, and how can have, you know, big financial as well as reliability of your supply chain impacts overall, which then obviously impacts availability of product to patient or impact what sort of stock you keep, and that ties up money, as Well as increases risk for wastages, etc. So having, you know, we see people be more conscious about it, and that, I think, will continue, you know, along the trends of sustainability, it's not just about materials that are sustainable. It's also how you use them and control and minimize waste for packaging materials, but also, obviously the drug product itself, that most of it will go to patients rather than, you know, good chunk of it in the bin.

What are you looking forward to at pharma pack Europe this year? Is there anything that that you guys are going to be highlighting?

Well, it's first time, a couple of years that we're actually exhibiting at Pharmapack again. So we're excited to be back, excited to kick off the year and meet you know, old friends and new hopefully. You know, we want to continue highlight our platform. You know, we spend a lot of money in building our global platform to support, you know, drug drug supply chains in Europe, in the United States. So we want to continue highlight, you know, our capabilities across oral, solar, dose and injectable products. Of course, we'll be talking about our new investments in the United States and our build out of our facility there, but that's sort of a, you know, part of the whole.

Videos

PharmTech spoke with Dexter Tjoa, CEO of Tjoapack, about how outside pressures are influencing supply chain and packaging decisions.

Datwyler Collaboration | Created with Canva

Datwyler, LTS Device Technologies, and Stevanato Group have announced a strategic collaboration aimed at expanding the capabilities of large-volume subcutaneous drug delivery and enabling convenient on-body administration of higher-dose therapies, according to a Datwyler press release (1). The companies plan to unveil their integrated platform solution at the Pharmapack Europe conference, taking place in Paris Jan. 21–22.

The collaboration comes at a time when the pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a significant shift from small-molecule drugs to complex biologics. As development pipelines increasingly focus on monoclonal antibodies and oncology treatments, manufacturers face growing challenges in delivering sensitive, high-dose therapeutics. Many of these therapies require volumes that exceed the 2 mL limit of conventional subcutaneous injections, driving demand for delivery systems capable of safely and effectively administering volumes of up to 20 mL while maintaining patient comfort, therapeutic efficacy, and regulatory compliance (1).

Drivers behind the shift to large-volume subcutaneous delivery

Clinical requirements and patient expectations are accelerating interest in large-volume subcutaneous administration. As healthcare systems move toward decentralized models of care, patients increasingly favor treatments that can be self-administered outside of clinical settings as evidenced by a Mayo Clinic study. It was found that 73% of patients preferred in-home self-administration after 24 weeks of treatment. The finding underscores a strong preference for convenience and autonomy in long-term therapy management (2).

This trend is reinforced by advances in device and component technologies that make home-based delivery more feasible for high-dose biologics. In a Datwyler press release, Paolo Ferrigno, Product Manager for Datwyler, states that, "by enabling patients to self-administer therapies at home, subcutaneous drug administration facilitates a growing shift towards more accessible personalized healthcare. Datwyler’s spray coated NeoFlex™ plungers increase the functional reliability of large volume injection systems and promote greater comfort and safety for the patients” (1). Such component-level innovations are critical for addressing the mechanical and functional demands associated with higher injection volumes.

In spite of growing demand, the transition to large-volume subcutaneous delivery has historically been constrained by technical challenges, including managing absorption kinetics, ensuring tissue tolerability, and designing delivery systems capable of controlled administration without compromising patient experience according to Datwyler. Developing bespoke solutions to address these variables can be resource-intensive and difficult to align with the compressed timelines of competitive drug development programs. As a result, manufacturers are increasingly seeking standardized, pre-verified platform solutions that reduce development risk and accelerate time to market.

The role of pre-verified platforms in streamlining development

The partnership brings together complementary expertise in elastomer components, drug containment systems, and wearable delivery devices to support cartridges ranging from 10 mL to 20 mL (1). For pharmaceutical companies, the use of ready-to-use, pre-qualified components can significantly reduce the complexity associated with container closure system development and validation.

Riccardo Marcon, SVP of Sales and Marketing of Drug Containment Solutions at Stevanato Group, emphasizes the importance of integrated solutions, stating in the press release, "There is a pressing market need for innovative solutions to support larger volumes of up to 20mL in a self-administered setting while strictly maintaining safety, therapeutic efficacy, and patient compliance. For pharma companies, EZ-fill® Large Volume Cartridges have been the ideal solution to reduce their complex operations for more than a decade. Our market-leading ready-to-use, EZ-fill® containers are supplied pre-washed, pre-siliconized, pre-assembled with front stoppers, packed in Nest & Tub and pre-sterilized” (1).

The collaboration leverages Stevanato Group’s ready-to-use large-volume cartridges in combination with Datwyler’s NeoFlex™ plungers, which are engineered to support the slow, controlled injection profiles required for high-volume subcutaneous delivery (1). These components are integrated with the Sorrel wearable delivery platform from LTS Device Technologies, enabling on-body administration that aligns with patient preferences for discreet, home-based treatment.

The significance of this collaboration lies in its potential to reduce development timelines, de-risk regulatory pathways, and support scalable commercialization of large-volume biologics. By offering a pre-verified, end-to-end platform, the three companies aim to address persistent technical barriers while aligning with market demands for patient-centric delivery models.

The technical and strategic rationale behind the partnership will be explored in greater detail during a Learning Lab session titled "When Size Matters: The Evolution of Self-Delivery Solutions for Subcutaneous Administration," presented by experts from all three companies at Pharmapack Europe. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with the collaborators to discuss end-to-end support for large-volume drug delivery programs and the implications for future biologics development.

Datwyler, LTS Device Technologies, and Stevanato Group Collaborate to Expand Self-Delivery Options for Large-Volume Drugs

Is home-based treatment the future of cancer care?

Articles

A strategic collaboration between Datwyler, LTS Device Technologies, and Stevanato Group aims to enhance large-volume subcutaneous drug delivery, addressing the shift towards complex biologics. This partnership focuses on developing integrated platform solutions for administering higher-dose therapies, meeting the growing demand for self-administered treatments outside clinical settings. The collaboration leverages pre-verified components to streamline development, reduce regulatory risks, and support scalable commercialization. The initiative aligns with patient preferences for home-based care and addresses technical challenges associated with high-volume subcutaneous administration.

The three firms offer a pre-verified platform for large-volume subcutaneous delivery of biologics to enable home self-administration.

Datwyler Collabs with Stevanato and LTS to Advance Home-based Biologics

Light Bulb with green plant form lines, triangles and particle style design. Illustration vector | Image Credit: ©

The Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) announced on Jan. 20, 2026 that it will be hosting a half-day sustainable packaging workshop on January 22 at the 2026 

, which is being held in Paris on January 21 and 22 (1). The session will explore pharmaceutical packaging challenges including environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance.

The workshop, “PDA Innovation in Sustainable Packaging Workshop 2026”, is limited to 30 attendees and is open exclusively to Pharmapack pass holders, The session will feature content from AM Instruments, Alliance to Zero, and Inductio AG. The session will explore ecodesign for pharmaceutical devices in the following three areas:

A concluding session sharing outcomes and practical insights.

According to PDA, by attending, attendees will gain strategies and peer-driven insights to support their packaging innovation efforts, sustainably.

“Collaboration and cross-industry engagement are essential as the pharmaceutical sector advances toward more sustainable practices,” said Falk Klar, Vice President of PDA Europe, in a press release (1). “This workshop is designed to equip attendees with actionable knowledge and spark new partnerships.”

“Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have, it's an industry imperative,” said Silvia Forroova, Group Director, Pharma, at Informa Markets, in the press release (1). “We’re proud to collaborate with PDA to spotlight the practical steps pharmaceutical companies can take today to align with both regulatory expectations and environmental responsibilities. This workshop adds real value to Pharmapack Europe’s educational agenda by bridging innovation with implementation.”

What are some trends in sustainable packaging?

coverage of Pharmapack Europe, the editors spoke with 

, about trends that happened in 2025, including sustainability efforts, that have impacted the industry (2).

According to Tjoa, sustainability efforts based on the packaging's proximity to the drug product, reflect a pragmatic approach, and components that directly touch the drug remain a concern when it comes to quality. Manufacturers are prioritizing the stability and integrity of the formulation over environmental metrics. The use of sustainable materials for primary packaging is not the industry standard as of yet, says Tjoa, and an aggressive approach is applied to the outer materials. These materials should be sustainably sourced or possess fully recyclable origins (2).

On January 19, West Pharmaceutical Services announced (3) it would be showcasing its West Synchrony S1 prefillable syringe (PFS) system, which the company says provides a portfolio that includes 1 mL long and 2.25 mL staked needle options for biologics and 1 mL standard staked needle and Luer lock options for vaccines. Options available with the staked needle system feature a rigid or soft needle shield, and Luer lock system options have an integrated tip cap.

“As a market leader, West closely monitors shifts in the global drug pipeline by emerging companies, particularly the growing demand for combination products alongside the movement of care from hospital to home, both of which introduce new complexity into regulatory and development processes,” Stacey Vaughan, vice president, Marketing and Portfolio Management at West, noted in a press release (3). “This surge of innovation across the industry further highlights why now is the right time to introduce West Synchrony S1 prefillable syringe system.”

Pharmapack Europe. Parenteral Drug Association to Host Innovation in Sustainable Packaging Workshop at Pharmapack 2026. Press Release. Jan. 20, 2026.

Haigney, S. Pharmapack Europe 2026: Sustainability, Specialization, and Digitalization in Packaging. PharmTech.com. Jan. 20, 2026. 

https://www.pharmtech.com/view/pharmapack-europe-2026-sustainability-specialization-and-digitalization-in-packaging

West Synchrony S1 Prefillable Syringe System Commercially Available at Pharmapack

The Parenteral Drug Association is hosting a workshop on sustainable packaging at the 2026 Pharmapack Europe conference in Paris. The session will address challenges in pharmaceutical packaging, focusing on environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance. Attendees will gain insights into ecodesign through case studies, discussions, and practical sessions. Industry leaders emphasize the importance of sustainability as a critical industry imperative. Additionally, trends in sustainable packaging highlight the prioritization of drug stability over environmental metrics, with a focus on sustainable outer materials. West Pharmaceutical Services will showcase its new prefillable syringe system at the event.

The half-day workshop will explore regulatory compliance and environmental sustainability.

PDA Hosts Sustainable Packaging Workshop at Pharmapack Europe

Cheryl Barton is director of PharmaVision, 


Proteasomes are molecular machines for breaking down proteins called proteolysis, only target proteins that have been marked for destruction called ubiquitin to the target protein, 3d rendering | Image Credit: ©

Momentum is building for proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTAC) treatments that hijack the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) to catalytically degrade pathogenic proteins and eliminate disease-causing proteins (1–2). This approach enables scientists to target previously "undruggable" proteins and exert sustained pharmacological effects, including those responsible for difficult-to-treat childhood cancers and drug-resistant triple-negative breast cancer (1, 3). In recent years, significant progress has been made in the selective delivery of PROTACs, potentially extending their use to a broader range of conditions (4).

How is the pharma industry investing in proteasome-targeting therapies?

A number of proteasome-targeting therapies have been approved in Europe and the United States, such as Amgen’s Kyprolis (carfilzomib), Bristol Myers Squibb’s Ninlaro (ixazomib), and Johnson & Johnson/Takeda’s Velcade (bortezomib). Several Big Pharma companies—AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Merck & Co, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and Sanofi—have products in clinical development. Interest in this field has catalyzed some interesting acquisitions and partnerships. For instance, in 2025, Johnson & Johnson completed its acquisition of Halda Therapeutics to gain access to its novel Regulated Induced Proximity Targeting Chimaeras (RIPTACs), a protein degradation approach that connects with proteasome pathways (5). In September 2025, Novartis initiated a collaboration with US-based Monte Rose to develop novel degraders or molecular glues to treat immune-mediated diseases (6).

Several biotech companies in the US are developing second-generation PROTACs, including Arvinas' vepdegestrant (ARV-471). In March 2025, Pfizer and Arvinas announced positive topline results from the Phase III VERITAC-2 clinical trial with vepdegestrant in metastatic breast cancer (7). Additionally, C4 Therapeutics and Nurix Therapeutics have protein degrader programs: cemisoldomide in Phase I/II for multiple myeloma/non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and bexobrutideg in Phase II/III for relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (r/r CLL), respectively (8–10).

More recently, US-based Kymera Therapeutics received fast-track designation from FDA for KT-621, an oral signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) degrader for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (11). In 2025, Sanofi modified its collaboration with Kymera, discontinuing development of KT-474, an Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) degrader, while continuing development of KT-485, which is in Phase II trials for atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa (12). Other US biotech companies working in this field include Accutar Biotech, Cleave Therapeutics, Dialectic Therapeutics, and Karyopharm Therapeutics.

What are some European players to watch out for in the proteasome space?

Several European biotechs are evaluating a new class of inhibitors that harness the UPS, hijacking the proteasome to provide disease-specific protein degradation with a wide range of therapeutic applications from autoimmune to oncology.

has developed its proprietary next-generation targeted protein degradation (TPD) technology to develop Targeted Glues. Its lead program, AMX-883, can induce BRD9 degradation to block patient-derived tumor growth 

 as a monotherapy, with superiority to venetoclax in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) (13).

focuses on developing small-molecule proteasome activators for neurodegenerative disease using its DGRADX platform. In October 2025, the company completed a $15 million financing round led by life sciences investors Apollo Health Ventures and Novo Holding (14). Funds will be used to advance its multi-disease pipeline.

focuses on the development of precision medicine using site-restricted targeted therapeutics. OncoOne’s research encompasses the development of targeted Immunotherapeutics that modulate tumor degradation using its Pre-Targ-it platform. The company is exploring therapies that target the proteasome-Bcl-2 axis as novel anticancer agents (15).

QLi5 Therapeutics GmbH (German-Korean joint venture) 

is working on a new class of proteasome inhibitors that demonstrate strong anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activity that offer promise in cancer, autoimmune, and inflammatory disorders (16). In September 2025, Qli5 closed a €10 million (US$12 million) Series A financing round with an international consortium of investors, including SV Investment (Korea), KHAN Technology Transfer Fund I (Germany), Atinum Investment (Korea), and DAOL Investment (formerly KTB, Korea). The proceeds will advance its pipeline of proteasome inhibitors in clinical development (17).

Future opportunities in targeting the proteasome

According to market research, the global proteasome inhibitor market was valued at approximately US$2.7 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$3.03 billion in 2024, growing to approximately US$6.1 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.70% from 2025 to 2034 (18). Preliminary research indicated that proteasomes may have far-reaching effects and could be used to target new immune defence mechanisms (19). Currently, companies are focusing on developing proteasome inhibitors for oncology; however, these agents may also present new opportunities to treat patients with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Many large pharmaceutical companies have already forged strategic partnerships with research institutions and biotech companies to advance PROATCs and UPS, either as standalone therapies or in combination with existing therapies. Several late-stage clinical trials will read out over the next 12–24 months, and promising results could stimulate further investment in this area.

Fu, Z.; Pan, M.; Yang, C.; et al. Rational Modification of PROTACs for Tumor-Selective Protein Degradation. 

. Jan. 9, 2026. DOI:10.1016/j.addr.2026.115775

How Protein-Slayer Drugs Could Beat Some of the Cruellest Cancers

Lee, C.H.; Minh Nguyen, T.; Lee, Y.; et al. Overcoming Therapeutic Resistance in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Targeting the Undrugged Kinome. 

Yang, X.; Wang, D.; Li, C.; et al. Nano-PROTACs for Precision Medicine: Engineering Strategies for Enhanced Targeting and Potency. 

Johnson & Johnson Completes acquisition of Halda Therapeutics and Its Novel Platform to Revolutionize Cancer Treatment and Enable Next-Generation Oral Therapies. 

Monte Rosa Therapeutics Announces Collaboration with Novartis for Degraders to Treat Immune-mediated Diseases

Arvinas Presents Preclinical Data Supporting Mechanistic Synergies and Enhanced Antitumor Activity with the Combination of ARV-393 and Glofitamab at the 2025 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition.

. https://c4therapeutics.com/our-pipeline/cemsidomide/ (accessed Jan 13, 2026).

Nurix Therapeutics Outlines 2026 Goals and Objectives for Advancing Bexobrutideg and Its Pipeline of Novel Degrader-Based Medicines in Cancer and Autoimmune Diseases.

Arvinas and Pfizer Announce Positive Topline Results from Phase 3 VERITAC-2 Clinical Trial

Kymera Therapeutics Announces U.S. FDA Fast Track Designation for KT-621, a First-in-Class, Oral STAT6 Degrader for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

Kymera Therapeutics Announces Sanofi IRAK4 Collaboration

Amphista Therapeutics Presents New Preclinical Data Showing the Potential of its BRD9 Targeted Glue™, AMX-883, to Transform the Treatment Paradigm for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia - Amphista Therapeutics. 

Booster Therapeutics Launches to Pioneer New Class of Proteasome Activator Medicines for the Treatment of a Range of Complex Diseases.

. https://www.oncoone.com/ (accessed Jan. 13, 2026).

Next Generation Proteasome Inhibitors for Unmet Medical Needs Deployed by an International Research & Development Network

QLi5 Therapeutics Attracts EUR 10 Million in Series A Financing.

Proteasome Inhibitors Market Size & Share Report, 2025 – 2034

This Scientist Found a New Trick of the Immune System by Digging through Cellular Rubbish

Cheryl Barton, PhD, is founder and director of PharmaVision, Pharmavision.co.uk.

Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are gaining momentum as they leverage the ubiquitin-proteasome system to degrade pathogenic proteins, offering potential treatments for previously "undruggable" targets, including challenging cancers. The pharmaceutical industry is heavily investing in proteasome-targeting therapies, with several companies developing and testing new drugs. European biotech firms are also advancing in this field, exploring novel inhibitors and therapeutic applications. The global proteasome inhibitor market is projected to grow significantly, with potential applications extending beyond oncology to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Proteasome-targeting therapies may eliminate disease-causing proteins in a broad range of diseases.

Proteasomes: A Novel Approach to Target the Immune System

Pharmapack Europe 2026: Sustainability, Specialization, and Digitalization in Packaging

In 2025, the pharmaceutical packaging sector a move toward specialization and a pragmatic approach to material innovation. These trends highlight a landscape where technical barrier requirements and the rise of biologics dictated packaging evolution more than radical changes in material science, according to 

“People are looking for more expertise, rather than a one-stop-shop solution. It is an important distinction for a company like ourselves that is, for all intensive purpose, a fairly niche service provider,” Tjoa explains. “In terms of packaging, we see the same formats being burgeoning like the previous years, lots of biological products coming online and biosimilar so, in terms of surface growth for us, a lot of vials and syringes and things like that.”

As more biological products and biosimilars come online, there has been a significant surge in the production of vials and syringes . While these formats are not necessarily innovative in a drug-delivery sense, their proliferation underscores the industry's focus on supporting the increasing pipeline of sensitive biological therapies.

Sustainability: quality vs. eco-friendly materials

Sustainability efforts are currently bifurcated based on the packaging's proximity to the drug product, reflecting a highly pragmatic approach . For components that directly touch the drug, product quality and barrier properties remain the paramount concern, according to Tjoa. Manufacturers continue to prioritize the stability and integrity of the formulation over environmental metrics. Consequently, the adoption of sustainable materials for primary packaging remains in its nascent stages and is not yet the industry standard.

A more aggressive approach is applied to outer materials, such as cardboard. Manufacturers are increasingly keen on ensuring these materials are sustainably sourced or possess fully recyclable origins.

What are the impacts of innovation and digitalization?

Current innovation in pharmaceutical packaging is manifesting in how packaging is utilized rather than the development of entirely new material types. There is a growing trend toward integrating digital components into the packaging design to maximize "real estate", such as digital information leaflets, which are partially driven by legislation. Companies are utilizing QR codes and barcodes to provide digital patient information leaflets. Beyond regulatory compliance, pharmaceutical companies are using these digital tools to offer more sophisticated and varied information to physicians and pharmacists.

Were there any standout trends that you saw in 2025 for pharmaceutical packaging, either for primary or secondary packaging of solid dosage or even large molecule drugs?

Well, in 2025 it was really a continuation of the previous year's trends, you know, as for us as an organization, I think our you know, our right to exist, is sort of reinforced by the general trends in the market for more specialized drugs and medication. People are looking for more expertise, rather than, you know, one stop shop solution. So to say, you know, in that that's a little bit, you know, general across, of course, the you know, industry, rather than packaging specific, but it is an important distinction for a company like ourselves, that is, you know, for all intensive purpose, a fairly niche service provider. You know, in terms of packaging, we see the same formats being burgeoning like the previous years, lots of biological products coming online and biosimilar so, you know, in terms of surface growth for us, a lot of vials and syringes and things like that. Not necessarily innovative in the sort of drug delivery sense, but certainly continuation of the rise of biologic products.

How has sustainability efforts impacted the choice in materials for pharmaceutical packaging?

I think lots of companies are looking for so pragmatic approaches in what suppliers are able to offer them. You know, certainly on the let's say the outer packaging, so the cardboard side of things, usually people are definitely keen on making sure that things are sustainably sourced, at the very least, if not part recyclable, fully recyclable origins. But I would say it's, you know, it's pretty much a pragmatic approach first, you know, the, you know, if you look at sort of primary packaging components and materials that touch the product quality and the barrier properties definitely still take priority over you know, if they're sustainable or not. So to say I. Um, but the interest continues to be high, you know, I think in that sense, you know, certainly on primary materials, it's still pretty nascent in terms of, you know, pick up within the industry. It's definitely not the standard yet. But, yeah, interest among it continues to be be high. Behind.

Are you seeing innovations in the materials used in pharma packaging, either for primary or secondary packaging?

Well, on the materials, like the type of materials, I'd say, not really. You know that continues to be by nor minority majorities to the same choices as before, I think, where people are trying to differentiate themselves, or how the packaging is used. You know, what type of information is displayed. We seeing some companies take up more. More real estate for bar coding in QR coding for digital information. So the digital component of the packaging, that's, you know, kind of pre part, driven by legislation, of course, you know, but with digital information, inpatient information leaflets, but also from the pharmaceutical companies themselves, who want to provide, you know, better or more different type of information To particularly physicians or, you know, pharmacist, I think, okay.

PharmTech spoke with Dexter Tjoa, CEO of Tjoapack, about the past year and which trends might influence 2026 packaging decisions.

The global commercial availability of the West Pharmaceutical Services' Synchrony S1 prefillable syringe (PFS) system, planned to coincide with the Pharmapack 2026 conference in Paris, Jan 21-22, marks a significant development for specialists in drug delivery and containment. The introduction of this system reflects a strategic alignment with current shifts in the global drug pipeline, particularly regarding the increasing complexity of combination products.

Why is a shift in patient care driving new containment requirements?

The transition of medical treatment from clinical settings to the home environment has created new challenges for drug developers and manufacturers. Stacey Vaughan, VP, Marketing and Portfolio Management at West, commented in a press release, “as a market leader, West closely monitors shifts in the global drug pipeline by emerging companies, particularly the growing demand for combination products alongside the movement of care from hospital to home, both of which introduce new complexity into regulatory and development processes.” She added that “this surge of innovation across the industry further highlights why now is the right time to introduce West Synchrony S1 prefillable syringe system” (1).

The Synchrony S1 PFS system includes a broad product portfolio designed for specific therapeutic needs. For biologics, the system offers 1 ml long and 2.25 ml staked needle options (1). Vaccine developers can utilize 1 ml standard staked needle and Luer lock options. The inclusion of both rigid and soft needle shields for staked needle systems, integrated tip caps for Luer lock systems, and the use of high-performance NovaPure and FluroTec barrier film plungers supports manufacturing and assembly flexibility.

How can integrated delivery systems streamline the path through clinical trials?

The primary benefit of these integrated systems is the potential to simplify the supply chain and regulatory hurdles associated with clinical development, according to West (1).. Educational sessions at the Pharmapack event will emphasize the importance of moving away from piecemeal component sourcing toward integrated, verified prefillable syringe systems from a single source (1). This approach is most relevant when steering combination products through clinical trials.

A supplier’s ability to support these developments is often linked to their manufacturing scale and global presence. With 25 manufacturing facilities worldwide and an annual delivery of more than 41 billion components and devices, the provider’s infrastructure is designed to support both established and emerging drug developers in ensuring safe and effective delivery (1).

What other innovations are being shown at Pharmapack 2026?

A significant development in solid oral dosage packaging is the use of polypropylene (PP)-based mono-materials, such as the 

 which the company plans to highlight at Pharmapack (2). These materials allow manufacturers to address toxicological and environmental concerns while maintaining critical performance metrics, including a water vapor barrier and "outstanding push-through performance". These solutions are designed for processability on standard packaging machinery. They reduce the need for line re-tooling, allowing scientists to reduce a product's carbon footprint without sacrificing stability or regulatory compliance.

How can streamlined procurement improve supply chain agility?

Beyond primary packaging, the industry requires agility in the procurement of components for sterile medical devices and diagnostic products. The introduction of services like MedHub reflects a focus on the industry's need for "minimal effort and reliable delivery" of pre-made bags and pouches (2). These solutions support the assembly of surgical kits and the protection of glass vials or syringes, ensuring they remain sterile prior to filling. By utilizing standardized clean room manufacturing and verified high-barrier films, clinicians can better manage the sterility and stability of the entire process chain.

West Synchrony™ S1 Prefillable Syringe System Commercially Available at Pharmapack

A Strong Partner to the Healthcare Industry: SÜDPACK Medica at PharmaPack 2026 in Paris

The global launch of West Pharmaceutical Services' Synchrony S1 prefillable syringe system at Pharmapack 2026 signifies a pivotal advancement in drug delivery and containment, aligning with the evolving complexity of combination products. The shift from hospital to home care necessitates new containment solutions, driving innovation in integrated delivery systems that streamline clinical trials by simplifying supply chains and regulatory processes. Additionally, innovations in solid oral dosage packaging and procurement services enhance supply chain agility, addressing environmental concerns and ensuring sterility and stability in medical device components.

West has launched Synchrony S1, a prefillable syringe system to simplify biologic delivery and combination product needs.

West Launches New Prefillable Syringe System that Streamlines Biologic Delivery

2025 Employment Survey Report | Created with Canva

1.0 Introduction: Gauging the Pulse of the BioPharma Workforce

This report provides a deep, comparative analysis of the bio/pharma employment landscape, offering critical insights into the evolving sentiment and stability of its workforce. Drawing on data from our 

 (2024 Survey)—conducted during Q4 2024—and our 

 (2025 Survey)—conducted in Q4 2025—this analysis dissects key trends across compensation, job security, employee satisfaction, workforce mobility, and industry outlook. By comparing these two periods, the report aims to construct a comprehensive and nuanced picture of the sector's human capital dynamics, identifying significant shifts in employee priorities and perceptions. This examination begins with one of the most fundamental aspects of the employer–employee relationship: financial compensation.



2.0 Analysis of Compensation and Financial Sentiment

Compensation remains a primary driver of employee satisfaction and a critical tool for talent attraction and retention. Its strategic importance cannot be overstated, as shifts in salary trends and employee perceptions of pay directly impact morale and stability. This section examines how salary adjustments and satisfaction levels have evolved between the two survey periods, revealing a workforce facing growing financial pressure.

A direct comparison of reported salary changes reveals a notable downturn in positive adjustments and a significant increase in pay decreases (Table I).


The data reveal a stark contraction in compensation growth: the proportion of employees receiving any salary increase fell from 55.65% to 38.64%, while the share of those experiencing a pay cut more than doubled, from 12.09% to 25.00%.

Mirroring the trend in salary adjustments, overall satisfaction with compensation has also seen a slight decline. In the 2024 Survey, a combined 54.84% of respondents reported being "fully satisfied" (16.13%) or "mostly satisfied" (38.71%) with their salary. In the 2025 Survey, this combined figure fell to 52.27%, with 15.91% feeling "fully satisfied" and 36.36% feeling "mostly satisfied." This erosion in satisfaction, though modest, aligns with the tangible decrease in reported salary gains. These compensation trends signal a tighter financial environment for employees, a factor that directly influences their sense of stability and job security.

3.0 Job Security and Perceptions of Market Stability

Job security is a critical indicator of both industry health and employee confidence. A workforce that feels secure is more likely to be engaged and productive, whereas rising insecurity can foreshadow increased turnover and diminished morale. This section assesses the changes in perceived job security and rates of involuntary job loss to gauge the stability of the biopharma employment environment.

The data reveal a significant erosion of confidence among employees. In the 2024 Survey, a majority of respondents (50.81%) felt their job security was "about the same" as the previous year. In the 2025 Survey, this figure decreased to 43.18%. More alarmingly, the percentage of employees feeling "much less secure" in their roles more than doubled, rising from 11.29% in 2024 to 25.00% in 2025.

This decline in perceived security is substantiated by a sharp increase in actual involuntary job loss. The percentage of respondents who reported changing jobs involuntarily within the past two years increased from 14.52% in the 2024 Survey to 27.27% in the 2025 Survey. This nearly two-fold increase confirms that the anxieties captured in the sentiment data are a direct reflection of tangible market volatility, such as layoffs or organizational restructuring.

The correlation between declining perceived job security and the steep rise in involuntary separations paints a picture of growing instability within the bio/pharma employment market. This is not merely a shift in sentiment; employee anxieties are demonstrably rooted in market realities. This growing instability in foundational job security compels a deeper look into what, beyond security, is now driving overall job satisfaction in a more turbulent environment.

4.0 Deep Dive into Job Satisfaction and Its Core Drivers

Beyond financial rewards and a sense of security, overall job satisfaction is paramount for fostering the innovation, productivity, and talent retention that the biopharma industry relies on. This section moves beyond security to explore overall satisfaction levels and, more importantly, the specific factors that contribute most significantly to a positive employee experience.

Comparison of Overall Job Satisfaction Levels

The data on overall job satisfaction present a complex picture of a polarizing employee experience. The percentage of "fully satisfied" employees increased substantially, moving from 14.52% in the 2024 Survey to 29.55% in the 2025 Survey. Simultaneously, however, the cohort of "not satisfied" employees also grew significantly, from 9.68% to 22.73%. This polarization is explained by the collapse of the middle ground: the share of "mostly satisfied" employees shrank dramatically from 53.23% to 29.55%. This suggests the workforce is increasingly divided into two camps—those who are thriving and those who are struggling.

To understand this dynamic, it is essential to examine what employees value most. Table II compares the top five drivers of job satisfaction from each survey, ranked by their weighted average score.

Analysis of Shifting Satisfaction Drivers

This comparison reveals a critical evolution in employee priorities. "Intellectual stimulation" remains the undisputed top driver of satisfaction in both periods, underscoring the importance of meaningful, engaging work in the bio/pharma sector. However, the most significant shift is the rise of "good work/life balance," which jumped from 5th place (3.82 weighted average) to 2nd place (3.91 weighted average) in one year. Conversely, the importance of extrinsic factors like "high salary" (weighted average fell from 3.61 to 3.33) and "job security" (weighted average fell from 3.72 to 3.48) has diminished. This reprioritization suggests that in a market characterized by increasing instability and diminishing salary growth, employees are shifting focus toward intrinsic, controllable factors like personal well-being over extrinsic rewards that now appear less attainable or secure. These shifting priorities are crucial for understanding the decisions employees make about staying with their current employer or seeking opportunities elsewhere.

5.0 Workforce Mobility and Attrition Risk Assessment

Understanding workforce mobility, including voluntary turnover and the underlying desire to leave, is crucial for assessing attrition risk and developing effective retention strategies. This section analyzes employee sentiment and behavior related to job changes to gauge the current and future stability of the bio/pharma workforce.

A comparative look at key mobility indicators reveals a workforce that is increasingly open to change, even if the explicit desire to leave has not grown:

• Voluntary job changes (past 2 years): The rate of voluntary turnover saw a slight increase, from 13.71% in the 2024 Survey to 15.91% in the 2025-2026 Survey.

• Desire to leave job (weighted average): The general desire to leave one's current job remained remarkably stable, with a weighted average of 2.52 in the 2024 survey and 2.53 in 2025.

 leave job (weighted average): This is the most telling metric. The weighted average for employees agreeing they "do not expect to leave" their job dropped from 3.51 in the 2024 Survey to 2.75 in the 2025 Survey, indicating a sharp decline in perceived stability and commitment.

• Desire to leave the bio/pharma industry (weighted average): Critically, the desire to exit the industry entirely has grown, with the weighted average increasing from 1.92 in 2024 to 2.16 in 2025.

The most critical finding from these data is the emergence of a high latent attrition risk. While the active desire to find a new job has not intensified, the psychological anchor holding employees in their current roles has weakened significantly. The dramatic drop in the expectation to 

 suggests a workforce that is more passive and opportunistic, potentially ready to leave if the right offer emerges. This points to a much higher risk of future attrition. Furthermore, the growing desire to leave the bio/pharma sector altogether suggests that the challenges that employees are facing may be perceived as systemic to the industry. Addressing this heightened attrition risk requires a focus on the internal factors that build loyalty, such as meaningful training and career development.

6.0 Training, Development, and the Emerging Skills Gap

Career development and robust training programs are key levers for enhancing talent retention, boosting engagement, and building organizational capability. In a rapidly evolving industry, they are also essential for addressing skills gaps. This section evaluates employee perceptions of these opportunities and examines how companies are perceived to be handling new challenges like digitalization.

Assessment of Career Advancement and Training

While the overall weighted average for career advancement opportunities held steady (2.54 to 2.56) across the two surveys, this top-line number masks a growing polarization in employee experience. A significant increase in the cohort who "completely disagree" that opportunities exist (from 27.64% to 34.15%) suggests that while some employees may feel supported, a larger segment now feels entirely stalled in their professional growth. On a more positive note, perceptions of role-specific training have improved slightly; the percentage of respondents who disagreed that sufficient training is provided fell from 51.22% to 43.18%.

New Challenges in Skills and Talent Management

Data from the 2025 Survey shed light on employee perceptions of how companies are adapting to modern challenges. The findings suggest that most organizations are seen as average at best:

• Bridging the digitalization skills gap: A majority of employees (52.27%) feel their company is merely "comparable to others" in this area. Nearly a third (29.55%) feel their company is "trailing behind."

• Attracting and retaining top talent: The sentiment is similar regarding talent management. While 45.45% believe their company is "comparable," a significant portion (27.27%) perceives their organization as "trailing behind" its competitors.

These internal challenges related to skills development and talent retention are intrinsically linked to employees' broader confidence in their company's future and the industry as a whole.

7.0 Company and Industry Outlook: A Forward-Looking Perspective

Employee sentiment about their company's performance and the industry's future serves as a powerful leading indicator of overall business confidence and workforce morale. A positive outlook can fuel engagement and loyalty, while pessimism can exacerbate attrition risk. This section analyzes and compares these forward-looking perspectives from the two survey periods, revealing a significant downturn in optimism.

Evaluation of Perceptions of Company Performance

When asked to predict their own company's business prospects for the coming year, employee optimism has fallen sharply (Table III).

The data show a pessimistic turn. The proportion of employees expecting their company's prospects to "increase" dropped from 43.44% in 2024 to 29.55% in 2025. Concurrently, the percentage expecting prospects to "decrease" rose substantially, from 14.75% to 25.00%. These results indicate a significant erosion of internal confidence in organizational performance and strategy.

Assessment of Overall Bio/Pharma Industry Sentiment

The pessimism is even more pronounced when employees consider the outlook for the entire bio/pharma industry (Table IV).

Confidence in the broader industry has deteriorated significantly. The percentage of respondents expecting the industry to be "better" in the coming year was nearly halved, falling from 43.55% to 22.73%. At the same time, those predicting the industry will be "worse" increased from 14.52% to 25.00%. The prevailing sentiment has shifted from optimism to a more cautious, if not pessimistic, stance, which provides a crucial context for the other trends identified in this report.

8.0 Conclusion: Synthesis of Key Trends and Implications

The comparative analysis of the 2024 Survey and 2025 Survey reveals a bio/pharma workforce navigating a period of significant change and uncertainty. Four key trends emerge that have profound implications for employers seeking to attract, retain, and engage top talent in the years ahead:

1. Eroding financial and security footing: The data clearly show a more precarious environment for employees. Declining salary satisfaction, coupled with a sharp drop in perceived job security and a near-doubling of involuntary job losses (from 14.52% to 27.27%), indicates that foundational elements of the employment contract are under strain.

2. A polarized employee experience: Job satisfaction has become increasingly polarized as the middle ground erodes. The proportions of both "fully satisfied" (up to 29.55%) and "not satisfied" (up to 22.73%) employees have grown, while the "mostly satisfied" cohort has shrunk. This suggests a widening gap in employee experience, driven by a renewed focus on core intrinsic motivators like "intellectual stimulation" and "good work/life balance," which has surged to become the second most critical driver of satisfaction.

3. Heightened attrition risk and industry exodus: While the active desire to change jobs has remained stable, the expectation among employees that they will 

 in their role has plummeted (weighted average dropping from 3.51 to 2.75). This signals a high latent risk of attrition. Compounding this is a growing consideration to leave the bio/pharma industry altogether, pointing to systemic challenges that transcend individual employers.

4. A waning outlook: A significant decline in optimism permeates the workforce. Confidence in the future prospects of both individual companies and the overall industry has fallen sharply. The percentage of employees who believe the industry will be "better" in the coming year was nearly cut in half, signaling that the workforce anticipates significant headwinds.

The biopharma employment landscape is experiencing significant shifts, as revealed by comparative analyses of 2024 and 2025 survey data. Key trends include declining salary satisfaction and job security, with involuntary job losses nearly doubling. Job satisfaction is increasingly polarized, with a growing divide between fully satisfied and dissatisfied employees. Attrition risk is heightened, with a notable increase in employees considering leaving the industry. Additionally, optimism about company and industry prospects has sharply declined, indicating a challenging environment for talent retention and engagement.

A comparison of 2024 and 2025 bio/pharma employment survey results indicates that industry professionals face eroding security, polarized satisfaction, and rising attrition risk.

State of the Bio/Pharma Workforce: A Comparative Analysis of Employment Trends and Industry Sentiment

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