Vertex Pharmaceuticals has ended its 2022 research collaboration with Verve Therapeutics, set up to develop an in vivo gene editing program for a specific liver disease. The decision, attributed to Vertex's shifting research priorities, allows Verve to regain full rights to the program.

Summit Therapeutics has announced a clinical trial collaboration with Pfizer to assess a novel investigational PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, ivonescimab, in combination with Pfizer's antibody-drug conjugates across various solid tumor settings.

Immunomodulation therapy company, Tiziana Life Sciences, has entered into a product development services agreement with Renaissance Lakewood LLC, a leading CDMO focused on nasal drug delivery, to optimize the formulation and scale-up production of Tiziana's intranasal lead candidate, foralumab, which is under development for treating neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases or conditions.

Molecular glue company, Magnet Biomedicine has entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Eli Lilly to discover, develop, and commercialize molecular glue therapeutics, with a focus on oncology applications.

Indian pharmaceutical manufacturing company, Granules India, has acquired Swiss CDMO Senn Chemicals AG for USD 22.3 mn to expand into the peptide therapeutics market. Senn Chemicals, which specializes in liquid- and solid-phase peptide synthesis, will strengthen Granules’ position in high-growth areas like GLP-1 receptor agonists used for diabetes and obesity treatments.

Novartis' Fabhalta® (iptacopan), an oral drug targeting the alternative complement pathway, has received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) for treating a rare kidney disease in adults, C3 glomerulopathy (C3G).

Thermo Fisher Scientific has agreed to acquire Solventum's purification & filtration business for USD 4.1 bn in cash. The purification & filtration unit - which generated around USD 1 bn in revenue in 2024 - specializes in purification filters and membranes used in biopharma, medical technology, microelectronics, food and beverage production, and water filtration.

End-to-end CDMO, Enzene, has announced EU GMP certification for its two facilities in Pune, India, to provide commercial-scale microbial and mammalian drug substance supply, and drug product fill/finish and packaging.

CDMO, Bionova Scientific, has opened a 55,000 sq. ft. process development and pilot plant in Fremont, Calif., to enhance early-stage biologics development and support future manufacturing growth and to strengthen the company’s presence in the Bay Area, which generate USD 142 bn annually.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing is the backbone of global healthcare, yet its environmental footprint is a growing concern. The sector is responsible for significant greenhouse gas emissions, excessive water consumption, and large-scale hazardous waste production.

hVIVO plc., a CRO specializing in human challenge trials, announced it has signed a USD 2.5 mn contract to advance a new biopharmaceutical client’s research in human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Should the current phase of research be deemed a success, and subject to regulatory approval, the final phase of the study is expected to commence in the second half of 2025.

Rovi, the Spanish specialized pharmaceutical company, has announced that its 2024 EBITDA is expected to be 10% to 15% below market consensus, due to reduced activity in its CDMO segment during the fourth quarter.

Over the past 18 months, Minnesota-based CDMO Lifecore Biomedical has moved from being a food business to a pure-play sterile injectable fill-finish CDMO. To support its transition, the company announced the installation of a high-speed, GMP-ready five-head isolator filler to double its production capacity and target USD 130 mn revenue for its 2025 fiscal year.

Novartis has inaugurated its first specialized viral vector production facility in Europe, named VIFA One, located in Mengeš, Slovenia. The USD 42 mn investment enhances the company's research and manufacturing capabilities -particularly in cell and gene therapies, and Novartis will also offer contract manufacturing from the site.

Specialty CDMO, Recipharm, has launched a state-of-the-art modular sterile filling system at its facility in Wasserburg, Germany. Operating within a Grade A isolator, the GMP suite is designed for process development, pilot- and clinical-scale supply projects and will support various container types, including pre-filled syringes and liquid vials, with batch capabilities from 500 to 50,000 units.

Supply chain provider, Frontier Scientific Solutions, has commenced full-scale construction of the state-of-the-art cGMP temperature-controlled facility at Wilmington International Airport (ILM), North Carolina.

Novo Holdings, which acquired Catalent for USD 16.5 bn last year, is considering doubling the size of the CDMO, according to Jonathan Levy, the partner who led the deal. While the acquisition primarily secured three fill/finish sites for Novo Nordisk's weight loss and diabetes drugs, Novo Holdings has yet to clarify its plans for Catalent’s broader network.

Novartis announced an agreement to acquire Anthos, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is developing abelacimab, a promising anticoagulant for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation patients. Novartis will make an upfront payment of USD 925 million with potential additional payments of up to USD 2.15 billion upon achievement of specified regulatory and sales milestones.

Multi-industry manufacturer, Jabil, has completed the acquisition of Pharmaceutics International, Inc. (Pii), a CDMO specializing in aseptic filling, lyophilization, and oral solid dose manufacturing, as the company looks to expand its expertise in parenteral drug delivery which includes GLP-1 treatments and manufacturing services.

Leading CDMO, Alcami, has announced the appointment of Tori E. Arens as President of Drug Product. With over 25 years’ experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, Arens will oversee Alcami's cGMP drug product manufacturing operations, including sterile fill-finish facilities in North and South Carolina, as well as oral solid dose manufacturing, packaging, and labeling in North Carolina.