After a 2021 edition that was still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, CPhI came back strong last week in Frankfurt, Germany, drawing more than 10,000 participants from the pharmaceutical industry and close to 200 exhibitors.
“It was a great opportunity to meet many customers and discuss, among other subjects, our upcoming analysis of the OSDF excipients and the empty hard capsules markets,” says Nikola Matic, Vice President of our Chemicals sector. “While the high economic uncertainty was a key topic within our discussion, the dynamism and usual non-cyclicity of the pharma industry were at full display on the show.”
In fact, Matic notes, many parts of the chemicals industry, especially those in Europe, are anxiously expecting a difficult winter, but the mood was much more optimistic for the pharmaceutical industry. Along with many industries, pharmaceuticals was significantly impacted by the pandemic, but it now seems to have pivoted to a post-COVID state and is prepared to make the most of opportunities that have been created.
Two trends were notably present at the trade show: the continuous growth in the importance of contract manufacturers (CMOs) and the preponderance of biologic pharmaceuticals. As shown, for example, by Ardena’s announcement of plant expansion in Sweden, Samsung Biologic’s capacity expansion, and the acquisition of one of Sanofi’s manufacturing sites by Adragos Pharma, contract manufacturing is becoming a key topic in the pharmaceutical industry. It’s also proof of pharmaceutical companies moving from manufacturing, a trend that has been witnessed in other areas of the chemical industry such as personal care.
“Of course, biologics is still a key driver for the industry and was discussed at nearly all booths during the tradeshow,” says Matic, who notes that many announcements during the show — such as the Early Access Program for biologics such as Nulibry®, new capabilities such as those by Thermo Fisher Scientific, and the previously mentioned Samsung Biologic capacity expansion — were made to remind attendees of the importance of biologics in the development pipeline.
Kline’s Specialty Excipients for Oral-Solid-Dosage-Form Pharmaceuticals: Global Market Analysis and Opportunities is currently being rolled out, with editions covering the United States, China, Brazil, India, and Southeast Asia already published; editions on Europe, Japan, Mexico, and Middle East and Africa will be available shortly. The reports provide details in the functional category segments in each regional market with a focus on key trends, developments, changes, challenges, and business opportunities.
Meanwhile, Empty Hard Capsules: Business Analysis and Opportunities, a comprehensive analysis examining the empty hard capsules market in the major geographies, will focus on market segmentation by product type, along with an in-depth supply analysis, key trends, developments, challenges, and business opportunities. Countries covered are the United States, Europe, India, and China; publication will begin in Q1 2023.
