CDMO Live to debut as biopharma manufacturing sector nears $200 billion milestone

A new event dedicated to biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing launches this May, highlighting the sector’s rapid expansion as it nears a historic $200 billion milestone.

CDMO Live takes place at Rotterdam’s World Trade Center on May 7-8, 2025. It will bring together Europe’s top pharmaceutical outsourcing decision-makers, shining a spotlight on this rapidly growing industry.

With a sustained 7% annual growth rate, the CDMO sector reflects a fundamental shift in how modern medicines are brought to market. Today, nine out of ten biotechnology companies depend on contract partners to manufacture breakthrough therapies, making outsourcing a crucial catalyst for pharmaceutical innovation.

“Millions of patients receive life-saving treatments every day, yet few realise the pivotal role contract manufacturers play in bringing these therapies to market,” says Luke Bilton, co-founder of CDMO Live. “From COVID-19 vaccines to next-generation therapies such as GLP-1s, the demand for specialised manufacturing has never been greater – cementing the CDMO sector as central to healthcare innovation.”

As Europe’s premier outsourcing experience, CDMO Live will feature expert-led discussions, industry networking, and insights into the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Speakers include senior manufacturing executives from leading pharmaceutical companies, such as Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, BMS, UCB, Bayer, Valneva, Polpharma and MSD. The event will also feature the latest industry insights, including new research from Simon Kucher.

More than 50 top-tier contract manufacturers will exhibit their latest innovations, highlighting cutting-edge capabilities across the sector. The event’s PartnerMatch platform will also facilitate one-to-one business meetings, helping attendees forge meaningful connections.

CDMO Live offers exclusive networking opportunities, including the much-anticipated CDMO Live Boat Party, a Rotterdam city run, an insider tour of Halix’s state-of-the-art biologics facility and practical workshops tackling key industry challenges.

Connecting the outsourcing ecosystem

CDMO Live arrives at a pivotal moment as pharma companies face increasing pressure to optimize their external manufacturing networks while maintaining quality and reducing costs.

“Manufacturing strategy is now a boardroom priority,” says Chris Kilbee, co-founder of CDMO Live. “The increasing complexity of modern medicines, combined with the need for supply chain resilience, has highlighted the strategic importance of CDMO partnerships.”

“We’re bringing together the entire ecosystem – from emerging biotechs to global pharmaceutical leaders – in an environment designed for meaningful connection. With the show floor already sold out, it’s clear the industry has been waiting for an event of this calibre.”

CDMO Live is backed by key industry associations, including PBOA, Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI), Rx-360 alongside Dutch biotech ecosystem partners such as hollandbio, Leiden Bio Science Park and Rotterdam Square. The event showcases the Netherlands’ growing role as a European pharmaceutical manufacturing hub, further strengthened by the presence of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

“In an environment where time is money, a conference like CDMO Live is the best ever.” said Philip Coetzee, Director CMO Management, Daiichi Sankyo Europe.  “They have created a fantastic platform where information can be shared in roundtables and in quick ‘meet and greet’ sessions with CDMOs to see if there is a synergy. I will be back next time.”

“CDMO Live is definitely the event you need to go to.” says Raman Sehgal, Founder of Molecule to Market.   A huge amount of effort has been put in to make it one of the best events on the calendar –  bringing together external manufacturing and partnering in a really smart, collaborative way that differentiates it to all the other events in the sector.”

For more information and registration, visit CDMOLive.com.

Date: March 11, 2025
Source: PharmaSource