End-to-end service providers are becoming increasingly beneficial for smaller biopharmaceutical companies, particularly those at the early stages of clinical development. Christian Dowdeswell, managing director of Arcinova, a company under Quotient Sciences, discussed these advantages ahead of the upcoming CPHI Frankfurt 2025 event.
Many smaller biopharmaceutical firms typically own the molecules they are developing but lack extensive resources for managing development and manufacturing processes. According to Dowdeswell, utilizing a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that provides comprehensive services can significantly ease their burden. “With a single partner, the complexity of managing multiple service providers is greatly reduced,” he stated. This streamlined approach creates a unified point of contact throughout the development process, allowing for more efficient communication.
Moreover, when a single entity handles both drug substance and drug product development, communication barriers are minimized. “Teams can collaborate directly without confidentiality concerns, which facilitates overlapping work on drug products before completing drug substance tasks,” Dowdeswell noted. This synergy leads to improved technical outcomes and accelerates the development timeline, especially critical for smaller companies.
Arcinova will be showcasing its services at stand 5.1D104 within the Contract Manufacturing and Services zone during CPHI Frankfurt, scheduled for October 28–30, 2025.
Dowdeswell, who holds a PhD in organic chemistry and has extensive experience in the CDMO sector, emphasized the importance of adapting to advancements in technology. He explained how artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies are reshaping drug discovery and manufacturing processes. For instance, AI is increasingly used to design new molecules aimed at specific protein targets. However, this approach has resulted in an increase in the number of synthetic steps required to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), which has implications for efficiency in manufacturing.
“We have seen the average number of synthetic steps rise significantly over the past two decades, which presents challenges for CDMOs,” he remarked. As the complexities of drug synthesis grow, it is crucial for these organizations to find ways to enhance efficiency without extending timelines.
Additionally, Dowdeswell discussed the role of digital twins in improving scale-up processes from lab experiments to larger production volumes. This technology allows for better modeling of reactions and optimizes resource use, ultimately reducing the environmental impact. He also highlighted challenges related to data standardization across different production assets, which can hinder the adoption of such digital solutions.
Furthermore, Dowdeswell noted that the biopharmaceutical industry is undergoing a shift towards regionalization in response to geopolitical uncertainties and rising tariffs. Companies are increasingly prioritizing quality and reliable supply chains over merely seeking the lowest costs. This trend is particularly pronounced among innovative pharmaceutical firms that recognize that timely drug development is essential for their market success.
As CPHI Frankfurt approaches, Dowdeswell looks forward to engaging with industry peers and potential clients to evaluate Arcinova”s services and ensure they are meeting the evolving needs of the market.
