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PharmTech.com Trends in Formulation 2023 eBook Pharmaceutical Technology ® 49 CPHI BarCelona Coverage Q&A. The event promises to be a melting pot of cut- ting-edge ideas and collaborations that could reshape the future of the pharmaceutical industry. We urge all visitors to discover the new Start-Up zone, where innovation is reimagined at the heart of pharma! CPHI also emphasizes sustainabilit y and social responsibility, and you will see several eco-friendly initiatives at the venue and also our support for local businesses. We have introduced various pass options to attendees with tailored access and special extras. Lastly, the content this year is split into eight tracks and you can find a link to the agenda in the preview. I would encourage anyone attending to really study the agenda and plan the sessions they want to visit. Q. What should be the major takeaways for com- panies ahead of CPHI this year? Daal (Informa Markets): I'd say the single biggest takeaway from CPHI this year is that the pharmaceu- tical industry has displayed remarkable resilience in managing supply chain disruptions and energy chal- lenges. However, the primary concern on the horizon is securing early-stage funding, although there is op- timism as inf lation is expected to subside, creating a more favorable fiscal environment for investment. Our speakers and our CPHI Annual Report experts all tell us that the industry's focus has notably shifted towards exploring the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in various aspects, ranging from manufacturing processes to marketing and drug development. Addi- tionally, while COVID-related contracts for CDMOs and CMOs have decreased, the overall industry out- look remains positive, with significant growth ob- served in new targets and product classes. Excitement is also brewing around technological advancements, particularly in microbiome therapies, cell and gene t herapies, a nd l ipid na nopa r t icles (L NPs) for ad- vanced therapy product delivery. We have seen that market dynamics have brought unexpected develop- ments, with China and India performing impressively in manufacturing. Furthermore, global research and development centers are diversifying, and European biotech hubs are gaining recognition. Looking ahead, discussions are shifting towards topics such as can- cer vaccines, the importance of microbiome therapies, and the integration of AI in drug discovery. We understand that pharma achieves all this much faster when there're able to find, establish, and build relationships with the right partner. Every company in the global manufacturing supply chain is look- ing for new technologies, additional capacity, and to build contingencies into their business and that means building an even wider network of contacts and connections. So, it's the ideal time for us to be providing our support via the CPHI platform. Q. Are there new methods for establishing enduring partnerships? Daal (Informa Markets): Well, there aren't any new methods, we are just getting better at targeting and year-round support. The most successful stakeholders leverage the full spectrum of connections we provide and strategically plan their potential partnerships by initiat- ing initial contact through our platform well in advance. It means they can evaluate more potential partners be- forehand and have more productive meetings on site. We are seeing diversification of supply chain, and we recognize our role to support this in any way we can through industry reports, online meetings, and in-per- son meetings at our global shows to facilitate these part- nerships. Q. What is especially attractive about Barcelona as a host city? Daal (Informa Markets): One of the reasons we chose to bring CPHI to Barcelona again is the strength of the region, its world-class manufacturing and emerging biotechs. What's more interesting is the last time we hosted CPHI in Barcelona, it was the most iconic event we ever held and has been since remembered incredibly fondly by all those who attended. World-class exhibition facilities at Fira make it an excellent choice for hosting CPHI yet again. Our report findings have underscored Spain's position as the country with the most significant increase in 'pharma growth potential,' surpassing all others. Barcelona, specifically, has been recognized as Europe's second-best hub for biotech investment. This is what truly sets CPHI apart and positions it at the heart of pharma driving growth, not only in Catalonia or Spain this year but also within the global pharmaceutical in- dustry. Q. What trends do you expect to see on the show floor? Daal (Informa Markets): In the year ahead, we're wit- nessing a surge of enthusiasm and a strong appetite for new collaborations within the pharmaceutical industry. An important concern still remains supply chain secu- rity, prompting continuous monitoring and of course new supply chain partners. At CPHI Barcelona, we acknowledge our pivotal role in fostering connections and expanding networks. That is why we have an increased focus on the partnering pro- cess, both at the event and throughout the year, with our commitment to support this through reports and con- tent on CPHI Online. On the show floor we also see that manufacturing innovation and sustainability are taking centre stage, and we're experiencing a rise in diverse ear- ly-stage companies joining our ecosystem. It's really important to acknowledge—celebrate, even—t hat t he par tnersh ips established at CPHI make a real-world difference to the pharma indus- try in terms of how fast medicines are developed and reach the market, are accessed by prescribers and de- liver good health outcomes to patients. ■