Outsourcing Outlook

Data from BioPlan Associates’ 10th Annual Report and Survey of Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Capacity and Production suggest that the interest in disposable devices has begun to extend to biopharma operations beyond basic single-use bags and connectors.

Practicality of implementation should be a part of vision in the bio/pharmaceutical industry.

Advances in techniques and single-use systems are revolutionizing vaccine manufacturing.

The industry may not be ready for India and China as regulatory issues emerge.

Approvals of new drugs are on an upward swing, but only a few CMOs are benefiting.

Outsourcing is weighing in more as a tactic for cost-cutting, but it is still not the primary weapon.

Eisai and Biogen Idec pursue an innovative approach to capacity management.

Growth is seen in outsourcing of insect- and plant-cell-based bioproduction expression systems.

Is the contract-only CMO an endangered species?

The procurement organization rethinks sourcing for maximum efficiency and results.

Measuring the size of the market for contract manufacturing services requires a careful hand.

The weak global economy adds to the challenges of bio/pharma companies and their suppliers.

Budgets for biopharmaceutical activities are gaining in select functional areas except outsourcing.

The past three decades have driven a purchasing evolution to a procurement revolution.

Industry wants more innovation, but can suppliers meet customer needs?

Service providers must focus on delivering a superior customer experience.

Recovery audits and other past practices in procurement can improve the bottom line.

The evolving bio/pharmaceutical business model poses risk for CMOs.

Industry optimism is on the rise for 2012.

Some recent private-equity buyouts of CROs show both the upside and downside for investors.

A dearth of late-stage candidates could hurt the pharmaceutical services market in the future.

Biosimilar manufacturers need better expression systems and analytical tools to compete.

CROs that have made big acquisitions could be outmaneuvered by evolving sourcing models.

The EU debt crisis portends of possible negative repercussions for the dose CMO industry.

China rises to the top as a destination for international outsourcing.

Better strategies and practices in sourcing and procurement can contribute to the bottom line.

A recent industry survey shows keen interest in improving bioreactors and cell-culture media.

Lessons from the earthquake in Japan show the vulnerability of the bio/pharma supply chain.

The complexity of third-party external supply networks requires new ways to manage them.

Indian manufacturers are not a near-term threat to Western CMOs, but may be long term.