CPHI Worldwide expands outreach

The new format, expected to complement CPhI Worldwide, together with co-located events ICSE, InnoPack, P-MEC and FDF, is called BioLive and will be launched alongside CPhI Worldwide 2018 in Madrid (October 9-11, 2018 at IFEMA, Feria de Madrid),. BioLive will particularly focus on the growing field of bioprocessing and biomanufacturing, which is driven by the expansion of the market of biologics, Rutger Oudejans, Brand Director at the events’ organiser UBM told European Biotechnology. “It’s a hugely exciting time for the bio industry globally and we expect rapid growth in what is now a maturing supply chain,“ he said adding that this can foster collaboration of the small and large molecule developers. 

While this year’s CPHI in Frankfurt saw another visitor record with over 43,000 experts in the manufacture ,processing, analysis, formulation and packaging of drugs, it is still mainly focussed on small molecule drugs albeit revenues are shifting to the biologics space: In 2016, 50% of the 20 top selling drugs were biological therapies. To date, only producers and integrated CDMOs active in both  the small and large molecule space, such as generics, biosimilars and biologics manufacturer Polpharma, who is currently building an industrial manufacturing plant near Warsaw, showcased their offerings at CPHI. However, small molecule experts feel that they can contribute expertise in the biologics field, particularly when it comes to design hybrid molecules such as antibody-drug conjugates or other biological conjugates. „This is where biotechnology and chemistry will come together“, Pierric Marchand, CEOand founder of CRO Holdiag, told European Biotechnology at CPHI. Even Oudejans is convinced that an ecosystem, which brings together the bio development and manufacturing sectors, will be beneficial „for the full pharma value chain of both small and large molecule drugs and can contribute to the development of new strategies in bioprocessing and biomanufacturing.” BioLive may also support companies aiming to expand to the European market such as Russian drug developer BIOCAD.

BioLive will offer a conference/exhibition mix including matchmaking and product and service launches. Other highlights at CPHI in Frankfurt included the CPHI Pharma Awards and the 5^th edition of the CPhI Annual Report, which focuses on the immediate and long-term trends in pharmaceutical data, regulation, generics and biosimilars.