Susan Haigney

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.

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

Articles

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

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.

Blank medicine bottles | Image Credit: ©

The pharmaceutical industry navigated a variety of hurdles in 2025, some positive and some complicated by external factors. The boom in novel treatments for cancer, new delivery methods, and personalized medicine came along with geopolitical pressures, such as tariffs imposed by the United States.

To learn how these challenges impacted the pharmaceutical packaging industry, 

 spoke with Badre Hammond, VP of Global Operations and GM, APAC for Aptar CSP Technologies, a materials sciences solution provider; Ward Smith, director of Marketing and Business Development for Keystone Folding Box Co., a paperboard packaging solutions developer for the pharma industry; and Dexter Tjoa, CEO of Tjoapack, a contract pharmaceutical packaging organization.

What trends did you see in 2025 for pharmaceutical packaging?

In 2025, we saw a clear shift toward functional packaging materials designed to actively protect drug products, rather than merely contain them. This was especially pronounced for solid oral dose products facing stability, nitrosamine, or shelf-life challenges. Customers increasingly prioritized packaging that integrates moisture-, oxygen-, or impurity-mitigation capabilities directly into primary formats, while also remaining compatible with high-speed manufacturing and existing regulatory pathways.

Packaging is being asked to play more prominent roles than mere containment or protection. For example, we’re seeing more functionally integrated paperboard designs where child resistance and tamper evidence are built directly into the structure, not added as disposable components. In clinical trials, strong interest continues to build for adherence visibility, either through smart packaging features or external digital tools that track dose removal. Across solid oral and large-molecule products, packaging also is becoming more patient-centric, helping support correct and confident use.

In 2025, it was really a continuation of the previous year's trends. As for us as an organization, our right to exist is sort of reinforced by the general trends in the market for more specialized drugs. People are looking for more expertise, rather than a one-stop-shop solution. In terms of packaging, we see the same formats burgeoning like the previous years, with lots of biological products coming online, as well as biosimilars. Surface growth for us was related to vials and syringes and the like; not necessarily innovative in the drug delivery sense, but certainly a continuation of the rise of biologic products.

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

Sustainability has become a procurement requirement, influencing every design decision. Pharma teams are actively working to eliminate or significantly reduce plastic in secondary packaging and rely more on single-material paperboard solutions. By engineering locking features and tamper evidence into the structure itself, brands can reduce shrink films, labels, and mixed-material waste. Sustainability is also conceptually maturing, graduating from mere symbols and claims to comprehensive, structural sustainability in which performance and recyclability coexist without extra components.

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

Sustainability efforts have prompted the industry to rethink materials without compromising drug protection. Unsurprisingly, the Europe, Middle East, and Africa market is leading this effort through initiatives such as mono-material requirements tied to a hard deadline of 2030. As a result, rather than simply downgauging or switching polymers, many pharmaceutical companies are looking for ‘do more with less’ solutions, meaning materials that improve stability and reduce waste, recalls, or over-packaging. There is growing interest in designs that extend shelf life, reduce cold chain dependence, and minimize total material usage while maintaining regulatory and performance requirements.

Are you seeing innovations in the materials used for pharmaceutical packaging?

Innovation in packaging materials is increasingly focused on material science and performance, as opposed to aesthetics. For example, we are seeing greater adoption of active and engineered materials that address real pharmaceutical risks, such as moisture ingress, oxygen exposure, and impurity formation, all while fitting into familiar formats like blisters, bottles, and sachets. Such solutions allow pharmaceutical companies to solve stability problems without redesigning the drug products themselves.

 On the type of materials, not really. That continues to be, for the majority, the same choices as before. I think where people are trying to differentiate themselves is in how the packaging is used and what type of information is displayed; we are seeing some companies take up more real estate for bar coding in QR coding for digital information. So, the digital component of the packaging, that's in part driven by legislation, of course, but also with digital information, inpatient information leaflets, and from the pharmaceutical companies themselves, who want to provide better or different types of information, particularly to physicians or pharmacists.

Yes, especially in performance-engineered paperboard. New fiber-based substrates can now support child resistance, moisture protection, and fast line speeds once assumed to require plastic. In clinical research settings, secondary packaging is also being enhanced with data carriers and compatibility with digital adherence tools. Rather than adopting exotic new materials, the industry is advancing the ones already trusted, making them smarter, more secure, and better aligned with sustainability goals.

Have there been any advancements in packaging equipment?

 Equipment is evolving toward speed, adaptability, and connectivity. Machines for solid-dose products now handle multiple carton formats and integrated safety features with fewer line changeovers. Biologic packaging systems emphasize gentle automation and secure sealing for temperature-controlled materials. Increasingly, equipment is data-ready, capturing process information and integrating with digital systems to improve traceability and operational oversight, supporting both commercial production and clinical supply environments.

Equipment advancements have focused on flexibility and compatibility rather than radical redesign. For solid dose drugs, manufacturers are investing in lines that can handle advanced films, inserts, and integrated functional materials without sacrificing speed or validation timelines. In biologics, there is increased emphasis on scalable, lower-infrastructure solutions that reduce reliance on large sterilization or containment systems while maintaining safety and regulatory confidence.

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

Geopolitical uncertainty has accelerated a move toward resilient, regionalized supply chains. Pharma companies and contract manufacturers are increasingly selective, favoring partners that can offer material innovation, geographic redundancy, and long-term collaboration. There is less appetite for single-source risk and more interest in technologies that can be deployed across multiple sites and regions with consistent performance and regulatory alignment.

Supply chain resilience is now a primary driver in packaging decisions. Contract manufacturers are prioritizing regional supply options, reliable lead times, and partners with sustainability credibility. As a result, relationships have become more strategic, moving away from cost-only evaluations toward collaboration and continuity. Packaging suppliers are expected to help solve broader challenges—speed to market, flexibility, and risk reduction—rather than simply delivering components.

 Yes, definitely. As far as real, true impact of, predominantly, the rhetoric coming out of the US government has on the supply chain, of the pharmaceutical sector, I think that's still really to be seen. 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 were looking at 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 of a regional conversation now. How can we have a North American supply chain? How can you support that capability regionally and vice versa in Europe? So that certainly has shifted conversations we have with customers and how they're approaching supply chain planning in terms of investments.

What do you anticipate for 2026 and beyond for pharmaceutical packaging?

 Packaging is sort of the final step before distribution in the importance of a real expert player. We see a real value for certain types 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 the supply chain, controlling delivery times and fulfillment lead times. The activity of packaging is obviously not the most complicated or the most scientific, but when, where, and how you do it can have big financial, as well as reliability of your supply chain, impacts overall, which then obviously impacts availability of product to patient or what sort of stock you keep, and that ties up money, as well as increases risk for wastages, etc. We see people being more conscious about it, and that, I think, will continue 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 the drug product itself, so that most of it will go to patients rather than a good chunk of it in the bin.

Looking ahead, pharmaceutical packaging will continue evolving from a cost-driven component to a strategic enabler of drug performance. We expect greater adoption of platform technologies that address stability, compliance, and regulatory risk across multiple products. The winners will be solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing manufacturing, scale globally, and solve real pharmaceutical challenges without adding complexity to the drug development process.

Packaging will become an even more active contributor to clinical trial precision and patient outcomes. Expect broader use of packaging that supports adherence visibility in trials, simplifies patient steps, and reduces potential for use errors. Meanwhile, fiber-based designs will continue to replace plastic-heavy formats while maintaining regulatory functionality. The future lies in packaging that unites functional design, environmental responsibility, and actionable insights to strengthen product performance and development success.

In 2025, the pharmaceutical packaging industry experienced significant shifts driven by advancements in functional packaging materials, sustainability efforts, and geopolitical influences. Packaging evolved to actively protect drug products, integrate patient-centric features, and support adherence visibility. Sustainability became a procurement priority, with a focus on reducing plastic use and enhancing recyclability. Geopolitical uncertainties prompted a move towards regionalized supply chains, emphasizing resilience and collaboration. Looking ahead, packaging is expected to become a strategic enabler of drug performance, integrating platform technologies and supporting clinical trial precision and patient outcomes.

Industry experts discuss the standout packaging trends from 2025 that will influence the industry’s future.

The Shift from Containment to Protection: Packaging Trends Impacting Pharma

Young woman after chemotherapy taking pills from nurse in hospital room. Brain cancer concept | Image Credit: ©Pixel-Shot -stock.adobe.com

Patient-centric drug development focuses on the patient’s experience and needs to better ensure adherence and enhance treatment. This approach collects and uses patient and caregiver input to inform both drug development and regulatory decision making (1). In 2025, FDA published a series of guidance documents that allows for the patient’s voice to be incorporated into the development process (2) and for a better patient experience.

Medicines, such as those used to treat cancer or rare diseases, developed and formulated using this tailored approach often require pharmaceutical companies to enlist the services of contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) to assist sponsor companies in performing formulation services, such as drug delivery innovations, predictive modeling, modified-release formulations, solubility, and bioavailability.

 spoke with Dr. Asma Patel, VP Global Commercial and Scientific Consulting–Drug Product, to find out how the growth in patient-centric drug formulations is impacting the CDMO market and how CDMOs can assist sponsor companies in this important work.

PharmTech: Which 2025 trends in drug formulation impacted outsourcing of formulation services?

 In 2025, advanced modalities such as peptides and RNA therapies increased formulation complexity, driving greater outsourcing to CDMOs with specialized scientific acumen and integrated platform capabilities. At Quotient Sciences, Translational Pharmaceutics enabled rapid, data-driven make-test cycles, accelerating development by more than 12 months and lowering costs. This method allows rigorous optimization of formulation parameters from human pharmacokinetic data. Industry dynamics have shifted, with CDMOs moving beyond mere transactional service providers to become strategic partners, providing adaptive manufacturing solutions, robust scalability, and strong regulatory support while maintaining high quality standards.

How has the shift to patient-centric formulations impacted CDMOs?

Patient-centric methodologies have reshaped CDMO operations, emphasizing pharmaceutical solutions tailored for convenience, adherence, and personalization, especially for pediatric and rare disease populations. [This can be demonstrated by] focusing on advanced formulation approaches like taste masking and flexible clinical dosing, boosting compliance and therapeutic outcomes. The adoption of digital and AI technologies supports predictive modeling and process optimization, reducing development risks and formulation failures. As a result, CDMOs now offer adaptive GMP [good manufacturing practice] manufacturing and integrated clinical testing to meet the complex needs of patient-centric drug development.

In developing patient-centric formulations, where can CDMOs best support sponsor companies?

CDMOs play a pivotal scientific role in the advancement of patient-centric drug formulations, particularly through expertise in enhancing solubility and bioavailability, and in developing innovative drug delivery systems, such as modified-release and targeted formulations. An integrated formulation strategy [can] enable rapid optimization using real-time clinical pharmacokinetic data, which minimizes development risk and shortens proof-of-concept timelines. Beyond initial design, CDMOs manage scale-up and ensure commercial readiness, addressing key patient requirements like reduced pill burden and improved dosing convenience. Their ability to align formulation science with manufacturing processes guarantees that patient-centric therapies remain scalable, regulatory compliant, and clinically effective.

How early do CDMOs get involved in discovery/formulation of a novel orphan or rare-disease drug?

CDMOs are increasingly integrated into the preclinical stages of orphan drug development, frequently commencing support during pre-formulation and discovery. Their scientific expertise is vital for maximizing the efficiency of limited API, expediting development timelines, and navigating intricate regulatory frameworks. Early-stage involvement [can] enable design of patient-ready formulations within significantly reduced timeframes, thereby conserving scarce APIs and facilitating accelerated regulatory pathways. Through the deployment of specialized infrastructure and adaptive manufacturing processes, CDMOs effectively address the unique challenges associated with small, heterogeneous patient cohorts and the bespoke requirements inherent to niche pharmaceutical manufacturing.

How important are CDMOs in the formulation and regulatory approval of orphan drugs?

CDMOs play a pivotal role in the development and commercialization of orphan drugs, leveraging specialized expertise in small-batch manufacturing, advanced packaging solutions, and global regulatory compliance. Their integrated platforms facilitate efficient management of complex CMC [chemistry, manufacturing, and controls] processes, ensuring rigorous quality standards and adherence to multi-jurisdictional regulatory requirements. By streamlining workflows and mitigating risks particularly associated with accelerated approval pathways, CDMOs enable rapid scale-up and supply chain resilience for niche patient populations. This strategic collaboration extends beyond formulation, encompassing risk management, and expedited market access, thereby maximizing therapeutic outcomes for orphan and rare diseases.

What do you anticipate for 2026 and beyond for outsourcing formulation services?

The outsourcing landscape for pharmaceutical formulation services is projected to exhibit robust growth, fueled by increased biotechnology investment, the increasing sophistication of novel therapeutic modalities, and mounting requirements for integrated development platforms. The sector is being revolutionized by the deployment of AI, machine learning, and advanced automation, particularly in the rational design of formulations, which facilitates substantial reductions in development cycles. Strategic alliances, such as the Quotient Sciences-Intrepid Labs collaboration (3), exemplify the utilization of predictive modeling to refine formulation parameters and curtail experimental iterations, thereby enhancing efficiency and scientific rigor in drug development.

1. FDA. CDER Patient-Focused Drug Development. 

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/development-approval-process-drugs/cder-patient-focused-drug-development

2. FDA. FDA Patient-Focused Drug Development Guidance Series for Enhancing the Incorporation of the Patient’s Voice in Medical Product Development and Regulatory Decision Making. 

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/development-approval-process-drugs/fda-patient-focused-drug-development-guidance-series-enhancing-incorporation-patients-voice-medical

3. Quotient Sciences. Quotient Sciences and Intrepid Labs form Strategic Partnership to Accelerate AI-guided Formulation Development. Press Release. Dec. 4, 2025.

Patient-centric drug development prioritizes patient experiences and needs, enhancing adherence and treatment outcomes. The FDA's 2025 guidance supports incorporating patient input into drug development. This approach, especially for cancer and rare diseases, often involves CDMOs for formulation services. CDMOs have evolved into strategic partners, offering advanced manufacturing solutions and regulatory support. They play a crucial role in enhancing solubility, bioavailability, and drug delivery systems. Early involvement in orphan drug development maximizes efficiency and accelerates regulatory pathways. The future of outsourcing in formulation services is driven by biotechnology investment and advanced technologies.

Contract development and manufacturing organizations offer specialized services to help sponsor companies develop drug products that better serve the unique needs of patients.

The Impact of Patient-Centric Formulations on Service Providers

Selective focus on blue-white capsule pills in blister pack. Pharmaceutical industry. Drug package. Pharmaceutics concept. Drug use in hospital or drugstore product. Health budget. Global healthcare. | Image Credit: ©

 which is being held in Paris on January 21–22, 

 (Booth 4F12) will showcase a portfolio designed to address sterility and sustainability requirements, headlined by the expansion of the company’s PharmaGuard recyclable blister concept and the launch of the MedHub service (1).

How is mono-material blister technology being advanced?

According to the company, SÜDPACK Medica’s PharmaGuard represents a significant shift away from traditional multi-layer composites that complicate recycling streams (1). Originally known for its award-winning transparent film, the line has expanded to include a white blister film. This new iteration offers high opacity and improved legibility for printed dosage information, which is critical for patient safety and regulatory compliance.

From a technical perspective, the PharmaGuard solution is a polypropylene (PP)-based mono-material. It is engineered to be free from phthalates, vinyl, PFAS, and halogens, addressing growing toxicological and environmental concerns. Despite its simplified material structure, it maintains high-performance characteristics essential for solid oral dosage forms, including a water vapor barrier and "outstanding push-through performance". Crucially for manufacturers, the material is designed for reliable processability on standard packaging machinery, minimizing the need for extensive line re-tooling.

What is the sustainability and lifecycle impact?

For scientists and sustainability officers tasked with reducing a product's carbon footprint, the environmental metrics of PharmaGuard are supported by the data. According to an ISO 14040/44-verified Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted by Sphera, this PP-based solution has a significantly lower climate impact compared to conventional composite materials made of aluminum and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Beyond blister packs, the MedGuard brand offers a comprehensive range of low-particle packaging concepts tailored for medical devices and sensitive diagnostic products. These systems include robust rigid and flexible films, as well as specialized pouch concepts manufactured under controlled clean room conditions.

The technical versatility of the MedGuard line allows materials to be equipped with specific barrier and peel properties. These are compatible with various lidding systems, including:

For surgical kits, syringes, and ampoules, the thermoformable rigid films are based on recyclable PET and PP, ensuring that even complex tray packaging aligns with sustainability objectives without sacrificing the stability or sterility of the process chain.

How does MedHub optimize the supply chain?

Recognizing the industry's need for agility, SÜDPACK is introducing MedHub, a service designed to streamline the procurement of pre-made medical bags and pouches (1, 2). This service targets customers requiring steady supplies of standard formats with "minimal effort and reliable delivery".

Customers can order high-quality, pre-made pouches in standard sizes and defined batch quantities either by phone, email, or online. MedHub packaging solutions are always in stock an fulfill the stringent quality requirements of the healthcare industry (2)

All MedHub products are manufactured in ISO-classified clean rooms and backed by standardized certifications to meet the highest safety standards for medical use. The service allows for the fast ordering of three-side seal pouches in various sizes and material combinations, tailored to specific oxygen, moisture, and light barrier requirements.

Pre-made pouches can be used at various stages to package products such as stoppers, filters, or connectors. They can also be used as simple transfer packaging for items such as glass vials, ampoules, or syringes, which are essential for administering liquid parenteral drugs and must remain completely sterile prior to filling (2).

Three-side seal pouches are made from film and Tyvek, which makes them sterilizable, puncture-resistant, and highly resistant to moisture and provides product protection and fast, clean opening, even in high-pressure environments.SÜDPACK also offers three-side seal pouches made of PA/PE in various sizes. These pouches provide a dependable microbial barrier and are also suitable for gamma sterilization (2).

How does SÜDPACK Medica serve the pharma industry?

Headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, SÜDPACK Medica leverages the technological leadership of the broader SÜDPACK Group, particularly in the coextrusion of polymer-based film solutions. With production sites across France, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, the company utilizes a specialized team of experts in polymer science and process engineering to support global pharmaceutical clients in implementing demanding packaging configurations.

As the industry looks toward 2026, the integration of recyclable polymers into high-barrier sterile packaging marks a pivotal step in the evolution of pharmaceutical manufacturing.

SÜDPACK Medica. A Strong Partner to the Healthcare Industry: SÜDPACK Medica at PharmaPack 2026 in Paris. Press Release. Jan. 15, 2026. https://www.suedpack.com/en/suedpack-group/news/press-releases/press-detail-view/a-strong-partner-to-the-healthcare-industry-suedpack-medica-at-pharmapack-2026-in-paris

SÜDPACK Medica. SÜDPACK Medica launches new service for the healthcare industry. Press Release. Jan. 8, 2026. https://www.suedpack.com/en/suedpack-group/news/press-releases/press-detail-view/suedpack-medica-launches-new-service-for-the-healthcare-industry

SÜDPACK Medica is advancing mono-material blister technology with its PharmaGuard line, which shifts from traditional multi-layer composites to a recyclable polypropylene-based solution. This innovation addresses environmental concerns while maintaining high-performance characteristics essential for solid oral dosage forms. The MedGuard brand offers versatile packaging for sterile medical devices, aligning with sustainability goals. Additionally, the MedHub service optimizes the supply chain by providing pre-made medical bags and pouches, ensuring reliable delivery and compliance with stringent quality standards. SÜDPACK Medica's efforts mark a significant step in integrating recyclable polymers into pharmaceutical packaging.

The company will be highlighting its PharmaGuard recyclable blister solution, MedGuard line, and MedHub procurement service. 