Driven by regulatory evolution and a commitment to sustainability, the excipients’ sector is reinforcing its position as a sophisticated and credible stakeholder in the modern pharmaceutical supply chain.

Plans for a further 3,000-square-metre spray drying and high-potency containment unit at Celrà facility in Girona, Spain, have been announced by the CDMO.

The company will add new reactor suites to its Delaware campus, increasing its API reactor capacity by more than double and enabling the company to meet new demand for high-quality domestic manufacturing.

With major therapeutic indications close on the horizon, the industry must urgently address the prohibitive costs and manufacturing complexities currently blocking patient access to life-changing cures.

To secure the long-term continuity of global supply there needs to be a convergence of operational excellence and advanced chemistry, note Almac’s James Hurst and Prof. Tom Moody.

According to Maja Pedersen from FUJIFILM Biotechnologies, modularity, AI-driven compliance, and harmonized global networks are necessary to resolve complexity challenges in downstream processing.

San Diego-based Trenchant BioSystems has partnered with engineering firm Invetech to develop a fully automated manufacturing platform it claims could cut production costs by up to 80%.

The German contract manufacturer is expanding its lyophilization capacity with a complete production line from equipment supplier Syntegon, as demand for sterile freeze-dried pharmaceuticals continues to grow across the sector.

In this brief guide to DCAT Week 2026, The Pharma Navigator explores some of the critical dialogues’ attendees can look forward to participating in during their stay in Manhattan.

As sponsors navigate the complexities of a global supply environment, partnering with CDMOs who can anticipate issues and optimize processes is essential to avoid unnecessary cost hurdles, notes Kent Payne from Wilmington PharmaTech.

According to Carrie Bracco from Novartis Contract Manufacturing, by leveraging large-scale infrastructure, embedded CMOs can help meet rising demand for localized manufacturing.

Phase I trial results for the company’s novel long-acting amylin analog, have demonstrated significant potential for patients to lose up to 9.79% of body weight in 12–13 weeks with no serious adverse events.

Under this new arrangement, the companies will work together to further develop Indomo’s DT-001 candidate, which will be combined with the ClearPen device to allow self-treatment of inflammatory acne lesions.

As emerging therapies target increasingly niche genetic pathways, the adoption of AI modeling, organoids, and advanced AAV delivery is becoming essential to ensure successful clinical progression and patient access.

With support from LSIMF, Codis is expanding its UK facility with the addition of a GEA PSD-4 commercial-scale spray dryer, making it the only CDMO in the UK to offer such capacity.

The major USD 15.5 million upgrade at ESTEVE CDMO’s Morton Grove, Illinois plant, is expected to supercharge small-molecule API production for pharmaceutical and biotech clients across North America.

In efforts to streamline its portfolio and prioritize core capabilities, the company has agreed two separate transactions to divest its CDMO and Cell Solutions as well as select European Discovery Services sites.

Patient outcomes are transforming, thanks to innovative, curative, tailored therapies; however, industry needs to address a few pressing issues to ensure the huge promise of these drugs can be achieved.

The companies will integrate their strengths from early-stage development and commercial-scale GMP API manufacturing to offer clients an end-to-end API solution.

While advancements are unlocking new possibilities in inhaled drug delivery and the pipeline is strong, the regulatory landscape is still challenging, highlighting the need for specialized partners to unlock future success.