CPHI Frankfurt 2025: The Central Role of India in Building a Resilient Supply Chain

Bio/pharma companies are turning their focus to Indian CDMOs to build resilience into their KSM and API supply chains and to help with complex payloads, according to Yann D’Hervé from Cohance.

In light of recent global economic and political shifts, many bio/pharma companies are looking to diversify their supply chains, particularly for key starting materials (KSMs), to mitigate potential risks and achieve greater supply resilience. “India plays a central role in building a more resilient next-generation global biopharma supply chain. Geopolitical and cost risks urge biopharma companies to move beyond single-country sourcing and India offers the most compelling strategic advantage for KSMs or registered starting materials,” remarks Yann D’Hervé, CEO of the CDMO business of Cohance — a technology-driven CDMO (formerly, Suven Pharmaceuticals) based in India that specializes in KSMs, oligonucleotide building blocks, and customized payload linkers.

Going into detail about why India offers such an advantage for bio/pharma companies seeking to diversify their supply chains, D’Hervé highlights three key considerations: “First, [India] provides immediate and scalable manufacturing capacity. The existing fine chemical and pharma ecosystem [in the country] is vast with a large number of U.S. FDA-compliant manufacturing sites, [which] means less greenfield risk and a faster ramp-up for clients,” he says. “Secondly, India is a scientific and talent powerhouse: So, we access a deep pool of cost-competitive, highly skilled chemists and chemical engineers who are essential for optimizing complex KSM synthesis. Finally, the combination of stability and the sheer size of the domestic market provide the solid foundation for long-term investment, guaranteeing demand stability and predictable operation far into the future.”

Providing some insights into potentially impactful trends for long-term investment in the strategic partnership space, D’Hervé mentions that while APIs and KSMs are still important for small molecules, there is significant growth being witnessed across more complex modalities. He points to antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) and oligonucleotides as prime examples for this trend, as these modalities have grown at a rapid rate over recent years.

“These modalities are complex to make and require specific competencies, know-how, people, and assets. For example, the warheads or payloads used in ADCs can be up to OEB6, so less than 20 ng per cubic meter, requiring extremely good containment and processes,” D’Hervé notes. “Some oligo building blocks are also extremely moisture sensitive and delicate to produce, and they require a high level of purification.”

To help be able to meet the new requirements of these complex modalities, Cohance has made strategic acquisitions, such as Avra Labs and Sapala Organics in India and NJ Bio in the U.S. Through these acquisitions and recent investments across these sites in the U.S. and India, the company has gained capabilities in payloads, customized payloads, payload-linkers, oligo building blocks, and bioconjugation, D’Hervé reveals. Other key long-term investment opportunities would lie in an increased number of high potency API suites, bioconjugation suites, and more specialized assets with purification, he adds.

Click the video above to view the full interview

Cohance can be found in Hall 5.0 Booth #A24 at CPHI Frankfurt.

About the Speaker

Yann D’Hervé is the Chief Executive Officer of Cohance’s CDMO business, based in New Jersey, USA.

With nearly three decades of leadership experience across pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and specialty chemicals — including more than 15 years in the CDMO sector — he brings deep expertise in CGMP manufacturing, commercial operations, and strategic growth.

At Cohance, Yann is spearheading the next phase of growth for the company’s fully integrated CDMO platform. He is focused on strengthening Cohance’s differentiated capabilities in small molecule APIs, antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), and nucleic acid chemistry, while expanding global partnerships with leading innovator pharmaceutical companies. He is driving efforts to accelerate innovation, scale operations, and establish Cohance as a trusted global partner in the development and manufacturing of complex, life-saving therapies.

Previously, Yann was SVP and General Manager of Evonik’s Healthcare Business Line, responsible for more than 2,500 employees across nine sites with full P&L ownership. Earlier roles included senior assignments in sales, services, and divisional leadership. Having begun his career in manufacturing, Yann continues to bring a hands-on, growth-driven approach to leading global pharmaceutical service platforms.

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