Global vision: What’s in store for CPhI

Forget football – it’s pharma that Barcelona will be famous for over the next few weeks as CPhI Worldwide takes place. As always the show offers in-depth and extensive coverage of the global pharma sector. Lu Rahman takes a pre-show peek into what’s in store

We’re heading towards 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 to the event will not only get to spend a few days in one of the world’s most vibrant cities, but they will once again be part of the global pharmaceutical community as it showcases the latest products, services and initiatives hitting the sector this year. The latest research will be revealed and visitors to the show will be able to witness debates on key industry issues while talking to leading decision makers about the latest trends and innovations to hit the sector.

Another first for the event will be 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 aims 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?

Organisers of CPhI say that pharma executives from all over the world will gather at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via for three days of collaboration, information dissemination and discussion that will define 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 will be 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.

And if you get there early?

On 3 October, the day before CPhI Worldwide kicks off properly, the annual CPhI Pre-Connect Congress will take place. This conference offers executives the opportunity to analyse and discuss innovations, trends and market developments through presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities.

Topics such as outsourcing trends, orphan drugs, combination products, API sourcing requirements, continuous processing, biosimilars, ADCs, single-use technologies, serialisation, the future of generics and bioavailability enhancement will be among the topics.

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 will also run 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.