“We seek long-term partnerships where our technologies can bring genuine value-add that sustains growth. It’s not about geography – it’s about matching specialties and capabilities with companies who share our vision for innovation,” says Rocco Paracchini, Director of CDMO Business Unit Morpho at Alfasigma.
Rocco Paracchini brings a blend of biology background and extensive pharmaceutical manufacturing experience to his role as Director of Morpho at Alfasigma. After transitioning from biotech to CDMO operations in 2011, in different CDMOs across EU, he joined Alfasigma in June 2024 to drive their contract manufacturing transformation and growth.
In the latest PharmaSource podcast episode, Rocco shares insights into how Alfasigma is a global pharmaceutical company founded over 75 years ago in Italy with Alfasigma’s 4,000-strong operation across four continents is evolving its CDMO strategy to meet growing market demands, with a particular focus on customer-centric manufacturing solutions and technological innovation.
Strategic Customer-Centric Approach
“A customer-centric approach means that we strive to manage third-party production with the same level of diligence and care that we apply for our captive production of Alfasigma branded products, maintaining the same standards of excellence, Rocco explains. This philosophical change enables targeted investments in areas beyond internal manufacturing needs.”
The company’s commitment to third-party manufacturing goes beyond mere capacity sharing. It represents a strategic decision to position Morpho as a leading partner in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing. “When we invest in the business, we do it fully and profoundly,” says Rocco. “This means investing in infrastructure, people, and time.”
Comprehensive Manufacturing Network
Morpho’s manufacturing network spans strategic locations across Europe and the US, offering specialised capabilities that cater to diverse pharmaceutical needs:
Italy Operations:
- Alanno: A centre of excellence for sterile manufacturing, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for injectable products and vaccines
- Pomezia: Specialising in oral solid dose forms with integrated R&D capabilities, located strategically near Rome
- Sermoneta: Advanced API manufacturing facility with particular expertise in carnitine chemistry
- Trezzano Rosa: Multi-purpose facility handling solid dosage forms, enemas, liquids, and creams
US Operations:
- Shreveport, Louisiana: Dedicated nutraceutical production facility, serving the North American market
“We aim to leverage our strong reputation as a springboard for further investment,” Rocco emphasises. “We’re not just increasing capacity in areas like freeze-drying and soft gel manufacturing – we’re also investing in IP-protected formulation and manufacturing technologies that will position us in market segments where competition is limited.”
Market Growth and Industry Evolution
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, Rocco identifies significant growth opportunities in the CDMO sector. “The global CDMO market is projected to maintain 7-8% CAGR, driven by continued outsourcing trends,” he notes.
Key market drivers shaping the industry include:
- Complex Biologics: Rising demand for specialised manufacturing capabilities to handle increasingly sophisticated biological products
- Personalised Medicine: Growing need for flexible manufacturing solutions to support targeted therapies
- Vaccine Development: Continued investment in innovation and injectable vaccine formulation, building on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Traditional Manufacturing: Maintaining focus on the approximately 90% of market volumes” represented by conventional pharmaceutical products
- Technology Integration: Increasing adoption of automation and artificial intelligence in manufacturing processes
Sustainability and Innovation Focus
Environmental responsibility stands as a core pillar of Alfasigma and its Morpho CDMO BU. The company has implemented comprehensive sustainability initiatives including:
Environmental Impact Reduction:
- Systematic monitoring and optimisation of emission intensity
- Implementation of three-generation and photovoltaic systems
- Active carbon footprint reduction programmes
Resource Management:
- Optimised resource utilisation across manufacturing processes
- Responsible waste management practices
- Life cycle assessment of products
“We recognise the environmental impact of energy consumption and processes,” Rocco emphasises. “We are committed to addressing these challenges in the upcoming years through continuous monitoring and optimisation of our initiatives.”
Partnership Philosophy
For companies considering CDMO partnerships, Rocco emphasises the importance of strategic alignment and long-term thinking. “We’re particularly interested in collaborating with companies that share our vision for sustained growth and innovation,” he explains. “Whether it’s biotechs, startups, or established pharmaceutical companies, our focus is on creating partnerships where our technical capabilities can deliver genuine value-add.”
This approach extends to emerging technologies and platform innovations. “The differentiating value often comes not just from the molecule perspective, but from real drug product innovation,” Rocco notes. “This is what we’re seeking when it comes to new technologies.”
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