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What is a CDMO? And why partner with one?

A Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) is a company that provides services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. These organizations offer various services, including drug development, process optimization, manufacturing, and regulatory support. 

CDMOs play a crucial role in helping pharmaceutical and biotech companies bring their products to market efficiently and cost-effectively

The services offered by a CDMO will vary depending on each company’s particular specialisms. 

SGS Quay Pharma, for example, offers drug product development services in the small molecule and microbiome spaces, from early-phase discovery to niche-scale commercial manufacturing. 

SGS Quay Pharma can handle small molecule drug substances, including peptides, up to CAT3B. Formulating these into various dosage forms, including oral liquids, solid oral doses, topicals and more. 

Thanks to our many years of experience in microbiome, we are now one of the world leaders in microbiome drug product development. We have successfully worked on projects incorporating non-viable and live bacteria, bacteriophages, virus-like particles, non-replicating viruses and spores into various dose formats. 

Here are some key reasons why companies choose to partner with CDMOs:

1. Expertise and Infrastructure: CDMOs have specialized expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, and advanced equipment required for various drug development and manufacturing stages. Partnering with a CDMO allows companies to leverage these resources without investing in building and maintaining their own facilities.
2. Cost Efficiency: Developing and maintaining manufacturing facilities can be extremely expensive. By partnering with a CDMO, companies can avoid these upfront costs and pay for services on a project basis, which can be more cost-effective in the long run.
3. Focus on Core Competencies: Pharmaceutical and biotech companies can focus on their core competencies, such as research, clinical trials, and marketing, while outsourcing the complex and resource-intensive manufacturing processes to CDMOs.
4. Speed to Market: CDMOs have experience navigating regulatory processes and can help accelerate the development and manufacturing timeline. This is crucial in the pharmaceutical industry, where quickly getting a product to market can be a competitive advantage.
5. Flexibility: CDMOs offer flexible solutions tailored to a company’s needs. Whether a company needs assistance with a single manufacturing process step or end-to-end support, CDMOs can provide the necessary services.
6. Scalability: The manufacturing requirements can change significantly as a drug progresses from clinical trials to commercial production. CDMOs can scale up production quickly to meet increased demand, ensuring a smooth transition from development to commercialization.
7. Risk Mitigation: Drug development and manufacturing are complex processes with inherent risks. Partnering with a CDMO can help mitigate these risks by leveraging the CDMO’s experience, quality systems, and regulatory compliance.
8. Regulatory Compliance: CDMOs are well-versed in regulatory requirements and quality standards imposed by health authorities. They can assist in ensuring that manufacturing processes are compliant with regulations, which is critical for obtaining approvals and maintaining product quality.
9. Access to Technologies: CDMOs often invest in cutting-edge technologies and innovative manufacturing approaches. Partnering with a CDMO can provide access to these advancements, improving product quality and efficiency.
10. Geographical Reach: CDMOs may have facilities in different regions, allowing companies to manufacture products closer to their target markets and potentially reducing logistical complexities.

As part of the SGS network, SGS Quay Pharma offers an end-to-end service that includes drug product development, GMP manufacturing and clinical services. Our clinic is based in Belgium, with a capacity of 110 beds. 

It can conduct complex and innovative Phase I-III clinical trials, where drugs are tested, often for the first time, in humans. Our proximity to Antwerp University Hospital means that expertise is never far away. 

In summary, partnering with a CDMO allows pharmaceutical and biotech companies to access specialized expertise, resources, and infrastructure while focusing on their core competencies and speeding up the development and manufacturing processes. It’s a strategic choice that can lead to cost savings, faster time to market, and reduced risks in the highly competitive pharmaceutical industry.

Contact our experts now to learn more about partnering with a CDMO.