Global vision: What's happening at CPhI

It’s that time of year again when the all eyes of the pharma sector congregate at CPhI Worldwide. This year the event takes places in Barcelona between 4 and 6 October.

What’s new?

Holding CPhI in Barcelona is a first for this event. Visitors at the event are getting to spend a few days in one of the world’s most vibrant cities, and are once again being part of the global pharmaceutical community as it showcases the latest products, services and initiatives hitting the sector this year. The latest research is being revealed and visitors to the show are able to witness debates on key industry issues while talking to leading decision makers about the latest trends and innovations.

Another first for the event is the new Finished Dosage Formulation (FDF) area. Billed as the “first co-located event, standing alongside CPhI Worldwide to bring every aspect of the finished dosage supply chain together in one global location,” this new addition is aiming to  unite big pharma, CMO, out-licensing specialists, end product distributors, end-user agents and home markets.

Since its introduction at CPhI Worldwide in 2011, the Finished Formulation zone has grown rapidly to become the third largest segment of the event. Developing this zone into a co-located event is the logical next step. According to the organisers of CPhI, many existing CPhI visitors and exhibitors have diversified their offerings into finished dosage forms over the last five years. It’s hoped that the FDF area will continue to expand to become a valued ongoing element of the event, reaching new audiences.

Not quite a first but aiming to be – with last year’s event winning the award for the biggest one yet, organisers of this year’s exhibition are anticipating another record-breaking show thanks to an expanded conference venue, more opportunities for content sharing as well as a range of business opportunities.  

What to expect?

Pharma executives from all over the world will are gathering at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via for three days of collaboration, information dissemination and discussion that is defining the future of the industry.

Around 37,000 attendees are expected at this year’s event from over 150 countries. More than 2,500 exhibitors are on hand to discuss their latest products and services. The vent boasts over 20 dedicated zones covering ingredients, APIs, excipients, contract services, packaging, biopharma and machinery.

Running directly alongside the pharmaceutical ingredients halls are four other co-located brands, helping visitors identify the right event for their business’s needs:

ICSE is an outsourcing event designed to connect the pharmaceutical community with contract providers from clinical trials, CROs, logistics providers, data management firms and CMOs.

InnoPack connects buyers and specifiers from the packaging and pharmaceutical industries, showcasing all the newest innovations in pharma packaging.

P-MEC Europe features exhibitors from traditional large-scale capital equipment to companies focussed on instrumental analysis, measuring and testing technologies, materials testing, laboratory and quality control.

As always the CPhI Women in Leadership Forum unites female pharma professionals from across the industry for networking purposes. Offering an opportunity for women to share experiences, exchange expertise and discuss leadership strategies, the initiative also allows participants to communicate about challenges to their careers.

Outside of the exhibition, the CPhI Pharma Insight Briefings provides access to a range of specialised content through 45-minute sessions. The free briefings cover topics such as ‘Vested Outsourcing,’ ‘Excipients Risk Management,’ and ‘Serialisation Strategies.

Also on offer is the Pharma Forum – a dedicated area that provides thought leadership from media partners and the CPhI Pharma Insight Reports. The most recent Pharma Insight report can be downloaded from the CPhI website. It offers analysis of key trends and innovations forecast by a panel of world class experts.

Match-making

CPhI Worldwide sees the return of the one-to-one matchmaking programme. Helping tailor valuable time at the show, this platform allows attendees to find and connect with exhibitors and companies according to their business needs. The conference is also running its Innovation tours, organised by IMS Health this year, guiding attendees through the show floor to observe the best of what each company has to offer.