The Trends Shaping a CDMO Partnership

Sponsored by Terumo

The CDMO industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation, driven by the growing complexity of new drug modalities including biologics, DNA medicines, RNA medicines, and cell and gene therapies. Noritsugu Fujita, Division President of Pharmaceutical Solutions Division at Terumo, highlights the need for more resilient, reliable supply chains that move beyond fragmented, transactional relationships. One approach gaining traction is the fully integrated CDMO model, which consolidates the entire parenteral drug development journey—from formulation and sterile fill-finish to device assembly, labeling, and final packaging—under a single partner. Fujita emphasizes aligning drug, device, and patient interaction considerations early in development, with the goal of proactively addressing compatibility challenges before they affect timelines or regulatory submissions. Aside from mitigating these challenges, consolidation with a single partner can help customers reduce their carbon footprint and simplify their supply chains.