New regional event series addresses urgent need for strategic collaboration amid industry disruption

PharmaSource today announced the launch of External Manufacturing Leaders, an exclusive forum series for senior pharmaceutical professionals navigating external manufacturing strategy. The launch follows CDMO Live 2025, where industry leaders identified an urgent need for confidential peer dialogue amid rapidly evolving geopolitical and market conditions.

Strategic Imperative in Year of Disruption

External manufacturing has evolved from cost optimization to the driving force behind pharmaceutical innovation, with over 74% of new drug approvals now involving contract manufacturing partners (William Blair). In 2025’s volatile environment, senior leaders face unprecedented challenges:

 

• • Tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty: Requires reassessment of global manufacturing footprint

• • Capacity constraints: Critical bottlenecks emerging across specialised manufacturing

• • Supply chain security: Urgent need for resilient networks amid global tensions

• • Technology gaps: Fundamental disconnects between sponsor and CDMO capabilities

These challenges require strategic collaboration that traditional industry forums cannot provide.

“We’re witnessing external manufacturing’s evolution into a strategic function. It’s not just about outsourcing – it’s about enabling innovation while maintaining supply security for patients,” said Luke Bilton, Co-Founder of PharmaSource.

“ExM Leaders is the strategic Think Tank needed to navigate today’s uncertainties.”

Confidential Forums for Senior Leaders

Operating under Chatham House Rules, External Manufacturing Leaders enables genuine strategic discussions in complete confidence. Senior-level participants share strategies for managing complex CDMO networks, discuss capacity planning approaches, and explore innovative partnership models.

“Senior leaders need confidential forums to share strategies and learn from peers facing similar challenges,” explained Chris Kilbee, Co-Founder of PharmaSource. “These carefully curated forums ensure every participant brings valuable perspective and takes away actionable insights.”

The first External Manufacturing Leaders forum takes place in Basel, with further events planned in London and Rotterdam and more to be announced.

About PharmaSource: PharmaSource advances biopharmaceutical external manufacturing through events, insights, and industry initiatives, including CDMO Live, Europe’s premier conference for the biopharma outsourcing community.