Report: Landscape for biologics manufacturing will soon undergo major shifts

A CPhI report that examines the market for biologics manufacturing has predicted key changes by 2025. 

Released ahead of CPhI Worldwide in Milan, the report notes that the overall volume of biologics is set to expand by 8% each year to 3,900kl. Meanwhile, capacity expansions will keep up with this demand and reach an overall global level of 7,500kl during the same time period. While these findings are not surprising — especially given the increase in demand being driven by COVID-19 related products — the authors of the report point out that the look and location of the industry is changing. 

By 2025, almost half of all biologics manufacturing will be performed by CMO/hybrid companies, rather than in-house. As another indication that the industry is quickly pivoting away from in-house production, five of the top six biologics manufacturers will be CMOs. The report says that one non-CMO company, Hoffman-La Roche — will maintain its top ranking as the biggest biologics producer. Lonza, Samsung Biologics, WuXi Biologics, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies are the other four companies in the top five. 

Capacity expansions are also disproportionately happening in Europe and Asia. Most notable is that by 2025, Europe will overtake North America as the top continent for biologics manufacturing. 

Even with these expansions, the authors argue that demand could catch up to capacity increases by 2025 and put a strain on manufacturing capabilities.