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Cytiva and Cellular Origins, a TTP company based in the UK that specializes in advancing scalable and cost-effective cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing, have partnered to combine technology platforms that will offer automated, robotic manufacturing of CGTs, Cytiva announced on Jan. 16, 2025. Under the agreement, Cytiva will combine its automated Sefia platform with Cellular Origin’s Constellation, an automated robotic platform. The integration of these two technologies aims to enable scale-up of CGT manufacturing to industrial levels without changing the initial manufacturing process used during discovery phases or clinical trials, according to a company press release (1).

The two systems are expected to have a seamless interface, which will provide complete digital interconnection. This interconnection will encompass quality control systems, fully remote digital controls, and analytics. The integration will remove the need for manual intervention between and within CGT manufacturing steps. The companies expect that the combined technologies will help drive new standards of automation and manufacturing productivities.

“The manufacturing of cell and gene therapies must evolve from personalized and small batch medicine to industrialization if these therapies are to reach their potential for patients. At Cellular Origins, we are working to make this a reality. By collaborating with Cytiva … we are building a unified automation platform that can meet the sector's large-scale industrial needs,” said Edwin Stone, CEO, Cellular Origins, in the press release (1).

Work is already underway to integrate the platform technologies, and the first systems are set for process and biological testing in early 2025. Good manufacturing practice systems are expected to be available by the end of 2025 for clinical use.

The companies estimate that 47% of referred patients currently get access to chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapies (2). Current manufacturing practices for CAR-T therapies heavily rely on manual labor, which adds to the complexity and variability of its production process. Meanwhile, limited manufacturing capacity, significant risk of batch failures, and the expected increase of regulatory approvals for wider indications are expected to present more challenges for drug developers to satisfy the growing patient demand.

“Countless patients have benefited from Cytiva's cell processing systems, and we remain enthusiastic about the therapeutic potential of CAR-T. We firmly believe that automating these processes will unlock wider access to these life-changing therapies. The open nature of Cellular Origins’ design fits seamlessly with Cytiva's Sefia platform and potentially benefits a wide array of therapeutic developers. We are excited to see what the combined potential of our collaboration brings to the future of medicine,” said Emmanuel Abate, president Genomic Medicine, Cytiva, in the release.

The companies realize that a modular robotic approach will help manufacturers scale up from thousands to hundreds of thousands of CGT doses per year, according to the press release. With the integration of the two technology platforms into existing customer workflows, those workflows will be enabled to manufacture commercially approved and late-stage CGT products around the clock without the need to change systems or redesign approved processes.

Cellular Origins and Cytiva are Collaborating to Deliver Automated Robotic Manufacturing Capabilities for Cell and Gene Therapies

. Press Release. Jan. 16, 2025.
2. IQVIA. 

Strengthening Pathways for Cell and Gene Therapies: Current State and Future Scenarios

Articles

Cytiva will combine its CGT manufacturing technologies with Cellular Origins' robotic manufacturing platform.

Cytiva Collaborates with Cellular Origins to Deliver Automated Manufacturing for CGTs

Communication between the manufacturing plant and retail stores. | Image Credit: © Cagkan - © Cagkan - stock.adobe.com

ACG, a supplier of integrated solutions for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets, announced on Jan. 20, 2025 that it will be showcasing its line of sustainable packaging solutions at Pharmapack Europe, which is being held from Jan. 22–23, 2025 in Paris. ACG will be exhibiting at Stand E104, Hall 7.2.

During Pharmapack Europe, ACG will be highlighting their CelluPod paper-based, recyclable, and compostable blister system for products that require low water vapor transmission rates (WVTR). The company is also featuring its packaging solutions that are free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These include its PVC and Halogen-Free Thermoforming Blister System for products requiring low to medium WVTR. ACG also provides an eco-friendly alternative in its Bio D PVC. The company’s Halogen-Free Cold Form Blister System also provides a high-performance sustainable solution without halogen and PVC.

The company also announced its new head of Global Sales for ACG Packaging Materials, Jochen Scheil. With a background in mechanical engineering and more than 20 years of experience in large sales and service organizations in Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, Scheil previously held roles at Windmoeller & Hoelscher and Uhlmann Pac-Systeme.

"Joining ACG Packaging Materials at such a pivotal time is an incredible opportunity. I am thrilled to contribute to the company’s mission of driving innovative, sustainable packaging solutions globally,” said Scheil in the press release (1). With the launch of these products and our ongoing commitment to reducing emissions, ACG is setting a new standard for sustainability in the pharmaceutical industry."

"We’re delighted to welcome Jochen to the team. His leadership and vast experience in pharmaceutical packaging, combined with the efforts of his team in showcasing our sustainable products and processes, will play a crucial role in advancing our European expansion,” said Sheikh Akbar Ali, general manager, Development and Technology of ACG Packaging Materials, in the release.

At the Pharmapack event, ACG will also unveil its new state-of-the-art warehouse and slitting facility, which is located at its European site in Croatia.

 sat down Anil Andrade, vice-president of Global Sales at ACG World, during CPHI Milan to discuss growth in demand in the pharma industry and efforts put forth to achieve sustainable operations. In the interview, Andrade talked about the changing perceptions of the industry and the importance of sustainability in pharmaceutical operations. During the past 10 to 15 years, ACG has seen global growth in demand, and more so in Europe, North America, and Asia. Andrade also emphasized efforts to achieve sustainability to reduce the impact on the environment (2).

“Manufacturing capsules consumes a lot of water, and we have been trying to make our operations more efficient so that they consume less water, less paper, less plastic. In Croatia, as an example, we have reduced the paper consumption by almost 25 tons in a year. Same with plastic, we have reduced the consumption of plastic by 25 tons, and that has related to the benefits that we see going forward,” Andrade explained.

Listen to the full interview with Andrade at 

https://www.pharmtech.com/view/cphi-milan-2024-growth-and-sustainability-in-the-pharma-industry

ACG. ACG to Showcase Sustainable Packaging Innovations at Pharmapack Paris 2025. Press Release. Jan. 20, 2025.

Thomas, F. CPHI Milan 2024: Growth and Sustainability in the Pharma Industry. Oct. 18, 2024. https://www.pharmtech.com/view/cphi-milan-2024-growth-and-sustainability-in-the-pharma-industry

ACG is set to showcase its sustainable packaging solutions at Pharmapack Europe 2025, including the CelluPod recyclable blister system and PVC-free packaging options. The company has appointed Jochen Scheil as the new head of Global Sales for ACG Packaging Materials, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability and innovation. ACG is also unveiling a new warehouse and slitting facility in Croatia. Anil Andrade, vice-president of Global Sales at ACG World, highlighted the company's efforts to reduce environmental impact by decreasing water, paper, and plastic consumption in manufacturing processes.

The company will be featuring its sustainable packaging solutions at the event in Paris on Jan. 22–23, 2025.

ACG to Showcase Sustainability Innovations at Pharmapack Europe 2025

Gerresheimer announced on Jan. 20, 2025 that it will be presenting its portfolio of containment, drug delivery, and digital solutions alongside Bormioli Pharma at Pharmapack 2025, which is being held from Jan. 22–23 in Paris, France. The two companies are exhibiting together following Gerresheimer’s acquisition of Bormioli, which was finalized in December 2024.

At the event, Gerresheimer will be featuring its primary packaging solutions and delivery systems for sensitive biologics, such as its EZ-fill Smart packaging platform for ready-to-fill (RTF) vials and cartridges. Gerresheimer’s Gx Elite syringes, cartridges, and vials offer protection for injectable drugs, especially novel biologics, says the company.

Also highlighted will be the company’s self-injectable devices, including the Gx Inbeneo auto-injector and the Gx SensAir on-body drug delivery device. “Both devices enable simple, patient-friendly application with high-precision dosing of the respective medication. The on-body drug delivery device can optionally be digitally connected and integrated into digital health platforms,” the company stated in a press release (1).

Gerresheimer will also provide a first look at their new digital solution for adherence support in clinical trials in the Innovation Gallery during a presentation by Sueyoung Yoon on January 23 at 11:40 a.m. “If medication is not taken as intended, this could affect data integrity, trial efficiency and the safety of trial participants. Gx Cap for Clinical Trials is a digitally connected tablet container cap, which enables the monitoring of oral medication intake so that trial participants can be reminded to take their medication if necessary. Gx Cap is already being used successfully by pharmacies in the US for remote therapeutic monitoring programs for certain therapeutic areas,” the company stated in the press release.

Experts from Gerresheimer will also be participating in presentations in the event’s Learning Lab and Sustainability Theater. Adrian Johnson will be giving a presentation, “Reducing the Carbon Footprint of our Products—Renewable Energy and Material Innovation as Viable Solutions” on January 22 at 12:55 p.m. in Sustainability Theater K85. Bernd Zeiss will be co-presenting, “A Partnership Worth More Than the Sum of Its Parts—Device Component Manufacturers Fulfil Syringe and System Performance Requirements”, in Learning Lab K3 on January 23 at 10:10 a.m., and Holger Krenz will be presenting “The innovation journey: Developing EZ-fill Smart as the New Industry Standard for Ready-to-Use Vials” on January 23 at 2:30 p.m. in Learning Lab K3.

Gerresheimer is a systems and solutions provider for the pharma, biotech, and cosmetic industries with a portfolio of drug containment solutions including closures and accessories and drug delivery systems. Their products include medication pumps, syringes, pens, auto-injectors, inhalers, vials, cartridges, ampoules, tablet containers, infusion, droppers, and syrup bottles. The company has more than 40 production sites in 16 countries in Europe, America, and Asia. Bormioli Pharma has a variety of pharmaceutical packaging solutions.

Gerresheimer and Bormioli Pharma can be found at booth F55 at Pharmapack in Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles from Jan. 22–23, 2025.

Global Vice President Sales Pharma & Biopharma Solutions Injectables at Gerresheimer, to learn more about the primary and secondary packaging solutions Gerresheimer and Bormioli Pharma showcased on the event. 

1. Gerresheimer. Two Stories–One Future. Gerresheimer and Bormioli Pharma at Pharmapack 2025. Press Release. Jan. 20, 2025.

Gerresheimer, following its acquisition of Bormioli Pharma, will present its comprehensive portfolio at Pharmapack 2025 in Paris. The company will showcase its primary packaging solutions and delivery systems for biologics, including the EZ-fill Smart platform and Gx Elite syringes. Additionally, Gerresheimer will highlight its self-injectable devices and introduce a new digital solution for clinical trial adherence. Presentations by company experts will cover topics such as sustainability and innovation. Gerresheimer operates over 40 production sites globally, offering a wide range of pharmaceutical packaging solutions.

The two companies will be exhibiting together after Gerresheimer’s December 2024 acquisition of Bormioli.

Gerresheimer and Bormioli Pharma to Showcase Containment Solutions at Pharmapack

Sustainability in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

The pharmaceutical industry has been moving toward more environmentally friendly practices over the past decade. Regulators have also created sustainability requirements, especially in Europe.

“European regulations are particularly stringent on emissions and product lifecycle sustainability, and they have guided a lot of our initiatives such as a co-design, or carbon offset partnerships,” says Charles Ruban, president and CEO, Verdot.

Both small-molecule and large-molecule drug manufacturing have their own challenges, according to Ruban. Biopharmaceutical manufacturing is energy-intensive and creates material waste during production. Ruban says Verdot approaches the challenges of sustainable biopharmaceutical manufacturing by designing energy-efficient equipment that optimizes the use of material.

“We're partnering with suppliers committed to systemic sustainability, so our carbon-neutral initiative reflects the commitment of overcoming those models while enabling appliances to globally reduce their environmental footprint,” says Ruban.

Click the video above to watch the interview.

Videos

Pharmaceutical Technology® spoke with Charles Ruban, president and CEO, Verdot, about the focus of moving to sustainability practices in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

In a public disclosure issued on Jan. 13, 2025, Samsung Biologics said it has signed a contract manufacturing agreement worth more than $1.4 billion with a Europe-based pharmaceutical company, whose name was not disclosed. Production will take place at Samsung Biologics’ Songdo, South Korea, manufacturing site, and the agreement is expected to run through December 2030, subject to change (1).

The agreement bodes well for Samsung Biologics’ prospects for 2025. At a presentation given during the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference held Jan. 13–16, 2025 in San Francisco, Calif., the company highlighted several key updates coming up in 2025.

In April 2025, the company expects to complete construction of its fifth biomanufacturing plant, which will be housed on its new Bio Campus II, also expected to open in April. The new plant will add 180,000 L of biomanufacturing capacity, bringing the company’s total global capacity to 784,000 L. The company is also considering constructing a sixth plant as a proactive response to the rising demand for biologics. A sixth plant would raise its total production capacity to 964,000 L, pending board approval.

The company also began offering new services this year to support antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). These ADC services build on the company’s expertise in large-scale antibody manufacturing and process engineering and spans late discovery, development, and conjugation.

“Despite industry challenges, Samsung Biologics is well positioned to kick-start a new phase of growth in 2025 with the opening of Bio Campus II and launch of antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) services,” John Rim, CEO and president, Samsung Biologics, said at the presentation given in the conference (2). “We’ll continue to invest in new modalities and technologies to better address client needs, maximizing satisfaction and ensuring the delivery of highest-quality products.”

Expanded drug product (DP) services: the company is investing in pre-filled syringe (PFS) capabilities and expects to have a fully automated PFS DP line will be current good manufacturing practice-ready capabilities by 2027.

Enhanced development capabilities: To better support global pharma and emerging biotech companies, Samsung Biologics is investing in core development capabilities and plans to offer services that incorporate new technology platforms, including its S-HiCon, S-Tensify, S-AfuCHO, and S-OptiCharge platforms to ensure increased productivity and higher quality of molecule.

Digital transformation: the company also intends to continue investing in further building its integrated digital systems in order to maximize operational efficiency by incorporating artificial intelligence and digital twin technology.

Furthermore, the company announced that it plans to open a regional office in Tokyo this year to boost its ability to offer local support and grow its partnerships in Japan.

1. Samsung Biologics. Samsung Biologics Signs Manufacturing Deal with Europe-based Pharma. Fact Sheet. Jan. 13, 2025.
2. Samsung Biologics. Samsung Biologics Presents Business Updates at 2025 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. Press Release. Jan. 15, 2025.

Production is set to take place at Samsung Biologics’ Songdo, South Korea, site, and the agreement will run through December 2030, subject to change.

Samsung Biologics Scores Major Manufacturing Deal Worth Over $1.4 Billion with European Pharma Company

Patrick Lavery is an Editor for the MJH Life Sciences brands 

. Previously at MJH, he filled the same role for 

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Almac Sciences, which is part of Almac Group, announced on Jan. 16, 2025 that it is investing £500,000 (US$611,500 approximately) in state-of-the-art instrumentation to be deployed in its spectroscopy laboratories at the company’s global headquarters in Craigavon, United Kingdom (1).

In a press release, Almac said it recently purchased an Agilent 6545XT AdvanceBio Q-TOF (quadrupole-time-of-flight) mass spectrometer and a Malvern Panalytical Empyrean X-Ray Powder Diffractometer to support its spectroscopy goals.

Almac said the investment is additional with respect to a previously announced £11 million (US$14.7 million) spend, made public in October 2024, that aims to expand the company’s global analytical services capabilities and create 100 jobs (2).

John Malone, PhD, associate director of spectroscopy for Almac Sciences, commented on the variety of services clients will be able to benefit from, including quantitation of genotoxic impurities, trace elemental analysis, isotopic purity determinations, structure elucidation, analysis of peptides, proteins, glycoproteins and antibody products, as well as polymorph screening, confirmation, and quantitation of crystalline phases, according to the press release (1).

“The continued investment and growth in our spectroscopy laboratories underline Almac’s commitment to providing the best analytical facilities for its customers, and seamlessly meeting their needs,” Malone said in the release (1). “We are delighted to offer our clients cutting-edge technology that supports their product safety imperative and accelerates the drug development cycle.”

The Craigavon facility is equipped, according to the press release, with instrumentation that couples with mass spectrometry, including liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, and inductively coupled plasma systems, as well as X-ray powder diffraction and nuclear magnetic resonance tools (1).

Almac said these instruments, and the continuing investment in them, “substantially increase” capability for solving complex analytical issues, provide additional security for urgent analyses, and allow for superior data integrity controls in the interest of satisfying regulatory compliance.

“As we continue to enhance our analytical capabilities, our commitment to excellence remains unwavering,” Darren Thomas, PhD, Almac vice president of analytical operations, said in the release. “This substantial investment in cutting-edge technology emphasizes our dedication to offering comprehensive analytical solutions to clients around the world."

 spoke with Almac Pharma Services President and Managing Director John McQuaid about how the pharmaceutical industry is growing and what might drive investment in the future.

“There's quite a diverse range of drivers at the moment, anything from the BIOSECURE Act in the [United States], geopolitical factors such as that, right through to technology needs for emerging modalities,” McQuaid said at the time (3). “If I speak about pharmaceutical development ... there's never been a larger number of molecules in clinical development, and we're certainly seeing that increasing demand.”

Click here to watch the entire interview with John McQuaid.

Almac also has locations in Charnwood, UK; Souderton, Pa. in the United States; Athlone, Ireland; and Dundalk, Ireland (2).

1. Almac Sciences. Almac Invests £500,000 in State-of-the-Art Instrumentation Within Spectroscopy Laboratories. Press Release. Jan. 16, 2025.
2. Almac Group. Almac Group Announces £11m Investment to Expand Global Analytical Services. Press Release. Oct. 1, 2024.
3. Thomas, F. 

CPHI Milan 2024: Pharma Industry Growth and Investment.

This investment is additional to and separate from £11 million that was announced in the fall of 2024 for creating new jobs and expanding Almac’s global analytical services capabilities.

Almac Sciences Invests £500K in Spectroscopy Lab Instrumentation

On Jan. 13, 2025, Pharmapack Europe and CPHI announced the key trends they have identified for the pharmaceutical industry going into 2025. High on the list of those trends is the long sought-after return of funding liquidity, primarily from increased venture capital investments and private equity capital for mergers and acquisitions. Enhanced supply chain resilience is also anticipated in the year.

Conversely, the entities have identified insecurities that are expected to plague the 2025 year, including ongoing uncertainty surrounding the intentions and practical implications of the BIOSECURE ACT in the United States as well as Donald Trump’s return as president of the country, which Pharmapack has termed “the Great Known Unknown”.

Yet, despite the uncertainties facing US pharma companies, both Pharmapack and CPHI experts emphasize that strong fundamentals underlining the industry have nurtured widespread optimism. These experts are predicting a landmark year in 2025, which they expect will be driven by a boom in biologics, robust pipelines, and growing profits from glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs for treating diabetes and related obesity. In addition, new manufacturing hubs are expected to be established, which will accelerate supply chains. Outsourcing will be a key driver of drug discovery, development, and commercial supply, the experts predict (1).

The uncertainties tied to Trump’s return to office have led many industry analysts to caution an "expect the unexpected" attitude, but the pharma market has responded with “surprising optimism,” notes Pharmapack. “There is even a measured ‘wait-and-see’ attitude toward the controversial appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Remarkably, eight years after our initial New Year’s prediction release on a Trump presidency as the ‘great unknown’ (2), this 2.0 iteration has been met with a surprisingly composed response from the pharma sector. The takeaway? While changes are anticipated and the direction remains difficult to forecast, the industry appears confident that there will be more winners than losers, regardless of the path taken during the next administration,” Pharmapack stated in a press release (1).

The practical implications of the BIOSECURE ACT are expected to continue to evolve until the bill is either passed or rejected in some form. The industry, in the meantime, is already preparing for medium-term changes, such as switching discovery chemistry services to Europe and to Indian contract research organizations. In comparison, development and commercial contracts are being more widely shared, opening up new opportunities, particularly for companies investing in advanced biologics manufacturing with an eye toward lowering costs per gram.

On the Europe front, European markets are expected to drive innovation in drug delivery and packaging forward over the next 12-months. Pharmapack identified Île-de-France as a growing innovation hub for the MedTech sector in 2025, and the region will host Pharmapack Europe 2025 on January 22–23. “[The region]’s highlighted as the ideal location for start-up device and MedTech companies, thanks to its combination of funding opportunities, availability of R&D staff and, crucially, a strong base of pharma manufacturing and packaging resources,” according to the press release.

Pharmapack also emphasizes that the Île-de-France region is expected to play a significant role in both biologic device design and contract filling, based largely on the ongoing demand for GLP-1 drugs. Aseptic filling capacity is expected to be tied up in the clinical filling needs of GLP-1s, especially with generic GLP-1s soon to enter the market in 2025, which may cause delays in the clinical filling of other therapies with smaller volumes, such as oncology-targeted therapies, according to Pharmapack. “The result is that we will see biotechs widening supplier networks and potentially even Big Pharma searching for new partners for GLP-1s,” Pharmapack states in the press release. “Consequentially, contract and device filling is predicted to be a rapid growth area at Pharmapack.”

More than 6000 attendees and more than 370 exhibiting companies are expected to attend Pharmapack Europe this year. Pharmapack is seeing significant growth in participation from early stage companies as well; the conference’s Start-Up Hub is expected to host more than 20 emerging companies. In particular, there has been increasing interest from German and Swiss executives who are seeking new opportunities in development and licensing deals for device and packaging innovations.

The full results of Pharmapack’s report can be accessed on 

. More information about Pharmapack Europe can be found on 

1. Pharmapack Europe. Pharmapack Predictions 2025: the Good the Bad and…. the Donald 2.0. Press Release. Jan. 13, 2025.
2. Wright, T. The Good, the Bad, and the Donald. 

Pharmapack identifies biologic approvals, drug delivery advancements, GLP-1 generics, and the return of funding flow as drivers for a record year in 2025.

Pharmapack Reports on Key Trends for 2025

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Lyndra Therapeutics, of Watertown, Mass., announced on Jan. 15, 2025, a strategic collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific in which Thermo Fisher will provide global clinical research and commercial manufacturing services to Lyndra for its roster of long-acting oral therapies (1).

A press release from Lyndra said that the partnership leverages Thermo’s Accelerator Drug Development services, described as 360-degree contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) and contract research organization (CRO) drug development solutions that provide a customizable menu of options encompassing manufacturing, clinical research, and clinical supply chain services (1).

“Lyndra’s clinical research and manufacturing collaboration with Thermo Fisher is a critical step in our mission to transform how patients take medicine, providing the capabilities and scale to bring long-acting oral therapies to broad markets,” said Richard Scranton, MD, president of global product development and chief medical officer of Lyndra Therapeutics, in the press release. “Thermo Fisher will be part of our ecosystem of best-in-class partners as we execute on our go-to-market strategy, allowing Lyndra to focus on what we do best—R&D for innovative long-acting oral therapeutic solutions—while ensuring reliable, scalable manufacturing and clinical trial operations.”

The agreement stipulates that Lyndra will use Thermo Fisher’s end-to-end, advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities based out of Cincinnati, Ohio, to manufacture commercial materials at scale (1).

“Thermo Fisher is pleased to collaborate with Lyndra on its revolutionary drug delivery platform, and we look forward to helping bring these groundbreaking, long-acting oral therapies to patients,” said Michael Shafer, executive vice president and president, biopharma services, at Thermo Fisher, in the release. “Leveraging Accelerator Drug Development, our comprehensive CDMO and CRO drug development solutions, exemplifies our commitment to help speed and simplify the complex journey of clinical development.”

Lyndra’s long-acting oral therapies include its lead investigational product, oral weekly risperdone (LYN-005) (1). It and others are designed to deliver medication for a week, or more, with a single dose.

 has been following trends in oral therapies, specifically the oral solid dosage (OSD) market, making that a focal point of its October 2024 coverage of 

, from October 2024, encapsulates numerous experts’ perspectives from CPHI.

Dovetailing with that, Thermo Fisher used the occasion of CPHI Milan 2024 to launch its Accelerator Drug Development offering, as Shafer said at the time, “to support customers as they move critical programs forward to tackle global health challenges with speed, quality, and efficiency” (2). Thermo’s stated goal is for Accelerator Drug Development to impact the pharmaceutical value chain for biotech and large pharmaceutical companies with its customizable manufacturing, clinical research, and clinical supply chain services for small molecule, biologics, and cell and gene therapies.

Click here to listen to the October 2024 Drug Solutions Podcast.

1. Lyndra Therapeutics. Lyndra Therapeutics Announces Strategic Clinical Research and Commercial Manufacturing Services Collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific for Long-Acting Oral Therapies. Press Release. Jan. 15, 2025.
2. Thermo Fisher Scientific. Thermo Fisher Scientific Showcases Expanded Biopharma Services, Capabilities and Innovations at CPHI Milan 2024. Press Release. Oct. 7, 2024.

The collaboration will leverage Thermo Fisher’s Accelerator Drug Development stable of solutions, which was launched in the fall of 2024.

Lyndra, Thermo Fisher to Partner on R&D for Long-Acting Oral Therapies

On Jan. 13, 2025, Lonza announced that it has partnered with Iconovo, a Swedish company specializing in developing inhalable drugs based on proprietary inhalers and dry powder formulations, to develop spray-dried formulations of an intranasal biologic. The biologic will be administered through Iconovo’s proprietary intranasal device, ICOone Nasal. The companies aim to use a reformulated substance for treating obesity, which follows Iconovo’s strategy to reformulate known pharmaceuticals and replace injections and oral treatments with inhalation dose forms.

Under the agreement, Lonza will develop spray-dried formulations to be administered in the ICOone Nasal device at its site in Bend, Ore., in the United States. At the Bend site, Lonza works on addressing bioavailability challenges and modulating pharmacokinetics to meet target product profiles. The collaboration will identify ideal product properties related to particle size, stability, and device compatibility while preserving biological activity.

“Lonza is a world leader in bioavailability enhancement and renowned for its spray-drying capabilities of biologics. Combined with Iconovo’s unique nasal inhaler, we expect the result to be an unprecedented patient-friendly product, and we hope that this cooperation will lead to a fruitful, long-term collaboration that goes beyond this specific project,” said Johan Wäborg, CEO, Iconovo, in a company press release (1).

ICOone Nasal is a proprietary nasal device that releases a dose when the user inhales. An inhale through each nostril from one inhaler administers a standard dose of the biologic compound, according to the press release.

“Our team at Lonza’s respiratory center of excellence in Bend is pleased to work with Iconovo on its innovative applications, combining Lonza’s particle engineering expertise with Iconovo’s state-of-the-art devices. Delivering non-invasive and accessible therapies to patients in need is a focus area for both companies,” said Kim Shepard, director of Advanced Drug Delivery, Lonza, in the release.

“This collaboration, leveraging Iconovo’s innovative intranasal delivery technology alongside our expertise in spray-dried formulations, underscores our commitment to advancing patient care by developing innovative products. We believe that combining our strengths can lead to the development of patient-friendly products and a long-lasting, successful collaboration,” said Jan Vertommen, vice-president, head of Commercial Development, Small Molecules, Lonza, in the release.

In addition to this collaboration for an inhaled biologic, Lonza expanded its services to support smart capsule companies who are working to develop 

 in December 2024 (2). Smart capsules use electronic or mechanical elements to deliver drugs to the stomach or intestine. Promising applications for smart capsules include the treatment of diabetes, obesity, and other therapeutic fields.

To support these smart capsule developers, Lonza now offers a bespoke development and manufacturing service that focuses on their specific needs. Lonza can tailor its service to certain requirements, such as size, design, and lock mechanisms, and offers a variety of functionalities, including targeted release using a bi-layer manufacturing technology.

1. Lonza. Iconovo and Lonza to Collaborate on the Formulation Development of an Intranasal Biologic. Press Release. Jan. 13, 2025.
2. Lonza. Lonza Launches Tailored Offering for Smart Capsules Companies Developing Oral Delivery Solutions for Biologic Drugs. Press Release. Dec. 3, 2024.

Lonza will work with Iconovo to develop spray-dried formulations for an intranasally delivered biologic using a reformulated biologic drug candidate for obesity.

Lonza and Iconovo Team Up on Intranasal Biologic Candidate

Chris Spivey is director of Industry Relations and Strategic Partnership, MJH Life Sciences.

Behind the Headlines: 2025 Wish List

 is a bi-weekly panel discussion examining the latest trends, readouts, and other factors that drive pharmaceutical news and innovation. Each episode features consultants, venture capitalists, scientists, patient advocates, and journalists discussing the prior weeks’ top news while seeking to highlight the more enduring lessons that hide behind the headlines.

In episode 9, we’re joined by Dr. Vanessa Almendro, PhD, MBA, VP, Head of Science & Technology Innovation at Danaher Corporation; Elliot Berger, Board of Directors and Strategic Advisor at Orientation Marketing; Benjamin McLeod, founder at Convey Bio; and Turna Ray, managing editor, Precision Medicine Online, to discuss what they would most like to see happen in the bio/pharmaceutical industry in 2025.

The panel takes a look at how artificial intelligence (AI) may be used to accelerate drug discovery and development, as well as making the healthcare system more effective. Despite how AI could potentially benefit pharmaceutical processes, there is still an reluctance by some in the industry to adopt AI solutions that are already in place. AI may also be coupled with gene editing to diversify precision medicine.

Strengthening and creating new collaborative structures for rare disorders between academia and industry in 2025 may provide for the development of cost-effective personalized medicines. Gene therapies and allogeneic cell therapies will move forward, according to the panel, and messenger RNA vaccines will continue to progress in other areas besides COVID-19.

Investment, science, and technology will converge to advance these types of therapies. Biotech companies will also be investing in making glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) products more precise in the patient segmentation and expanding on applications of these types of drugs.

Vanessa Almendro, Elliot Berger, Benjamin McCloud, and Turna Ray go behind the headlines to discuss their ‘wish list’ for the progression of trends in the bio/pharmaceutical industry.

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Pharmaceutical Technology Is Now PharmTech: A Sharper Name for a Smarter Industry

Behind the Headlines Episode 28

Ask the Expert

Drug Digest December 2025

A “Plan, Prevent, Prove” Approach