Serving as a Gateway to the Americas’ Pharma Market
In this interview, Sarah Griffin from Informa Markets provides a review of CPHI Americas 2025 and teases some potential exciting innovations being planned for the 2026 edition of the conference.
CPHI Americas 2025 shut its doors on May 22, after another successful year where approximately 4,000 attendees came together to connect and network in one of the key U.S. cities for the bio/pharma industry, Philadelphia, PA. To discuss the successes from the 2025 event and to get a teaser for some exciting developments expected in 2026, The Pharma Navigator spoke with Sarah Griffin, Event Manager, Pharma Brand US, Informa Markets.
A Gateway to the American Market
TPN: Could you provide a general overview of the 2025 edition of CPHI Americas?
Griffin: CPHI Americas 2025 (formerly CPHI North America) serves as a gateway to the Americas' pharmaceutical market and is the only pharma event in the region covering the entire supply chain end-to-end, from R&D to finished dosage formulations. A notable 71% of attendees have purchasing responsibilities, making it a prime venue for high-value networking and deal-making with influential buyers and decision-makers.
The event achieved a significant milestone in regional representation, with 70% of attendees originating from the Americas — a substantial increase from 65% in the previous year. This growth underscores the event's strengthening position as the premier pharmaceutical gathering specifically focused on North and Latin American markets. The caliber of participation was equally impressive, with representatives from nine of the top ten pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. attending the event. This exceptional level of engagement from industry leaders demonstrates CPHI Americas' growing influence as an essential business platform for decision-makers across the pharmaceutical value chain.
This enhanced regional focus, combined with high-level industry participation, created an environment particularly conducive to meaningful partnerships and business development opportunities specifically tailored to the unique regulatory and market dynamics of the Americas region.
An Immersive Experience
TPN: What was your highlight/standout moment from the show this year?
Griffin: The crown jewel of CPHI Americas 2025 was the magnificent Celebration Gala hosted at the historic College of Physicians of Philadelphia, home to the renowned Mütter Museum. Sponsored by Biophore, this extraordinary evening welcomed over 400 distinguished guests with an atmosphere of elegance and excitement.
From the moment attendees arrived, they were immersed in a sensory experience—greeted by the smooth melodies of a jazz saxophonist at the entrance while being offered meticulously crafted jalapeño margaritas or mocktails. The venue transformed into distinct zones of entertainment, with the garden vibrating with the rhythms of a dynamic salsa band complemented by captivating Caribbean dancers. Guests savored an array of exquisite Americas-inspired cuisine throughout this space, even including a tequila tasting station!
Venturing upstairs, attendees discovered another dimension to the evening—mesmerizing piano performances creating an elegant backdrop for additional culinary delights, including an impressive dessert bar featuring regional specialties. What made the evening truly unique was the juxtaposition of glamour and intrigue, as guests had the opportunity to explore the museum's fascinating collection of medical curiosities.
The gala perfectly embodied the spirit of connection and celebration that defines CPHI Americas, creating memorable moments that will resonate with attendees long after the event's conclusion.
Thoughtful Additions
TPN: Were there any new additions for the 2025 event?
Griffin: CPHI Americas 2025 introduced several exciting new elements that significantly enhanced the attendee experience. Content delivery reached new heights with two fully booked theaters directly on the show floor, offering continuous industry insights and knowledge-sharing throughout the event.
Just outside the main exhibition hall, the Taylor & Francis bookstore created a vibrant intellectual hub featuring scheduled author signings, giving attendees unique opportunities to engage with leading pharmaceutical thought leaders and collect personalized copies of industry-defining publications.
In a meaningful first for the event, CPHI Americas partnered with the American Red Cross to host an on-site blood drive, demonstrating the pharmaceutical industry's commitment to public health beyond commercial interests.
The exhibition floor itself saw strategic expansions with the debut of the dedicated CRO Zone, creating a focused area for contract research organizations to showcase their capabilities. Additionally, the BioProduction Zone was significantly expanded to accommodate growing interest in biologics manufacturing solutions.
These thoughtful additions reflected CPHI Americas' commitment to evolving alongside industry needs while fostering both professional development and community engagement and providing a small town feel to the event.
Anticipated Innovations
TPN: What can we expect for 2026?
Griffin: While CPHI Americas 2026 is still in its early planning stages, the organizing team is already developing several ambitious initiatives that promise to elevate the event to new heights.
The most anticipated addition will be the innovative ‘Play and Connect Hub’ — a dynamic space designed to transform traditional networking through interactive sponsorship opportunities and engaging activities that facilitate meaningful industry connections in a more relaxed environment.
Content programming will see significant enhancement with carefully curated sessions specifically addressing regulatory challenges and evolving obstacles facing the pharmaceutical industry. These focused discussions will provide actionable insights for navigating the complex and ever-changing pharma landscape.
The social highlight will undoubtedly be the World Cup-themed Celebration Event — an international spectacle drawing inspiration from the global sporting event. This not-to-be-missed evening promises to combine the excitement of world-class entertainment with the unrivaled networking opportunities that CPHI Americas is known for.
These forward-looking developments reflect CPHI Americas' commitment to continuous innovation while addressing the industry's most pressing needs through both educational content and relationship-building opportunities.
Photo by Peter Bryan on Unsplash