Closing 2024 with Editors' picks of top articles from the past year

Coming to the end of 2024 and it’s certainly been a busy year, for CPHI and for the rest of the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry. Topics of conversation throughout the last 12 months have been varied, touching on the technical, to the political, and those that are critically important. 

1. CPHI Milan 2024 Wrap-Up Report 

Starting this off at the number one spot we have selected the first ever Wrap-Up Report detailing exclusive event content from CPHI Milan 2024. Celebrating its 35th edition, CPHI Milan 2024 focused on global pharmaceutical advancements, including Industry 5.0, sustainability, and collaborative innovations. Key trends highlighted included the adoption of smart manufacturing, accelerated drug development through digital technologies, and the importance of inclusivity in pharma. The report emphasised the industry's resilience and forward momentum in adapting to changing demands. Download the report here. 

2. Women in Pharma: Advocating for Trans Healthcare 

Second, we wanted to feature the tremendously successful ‘Women in Pharma’ series, and in particular this article, which also happens to be the most viewed article of 2024. This interview highlights Alaina Kupec’s advocacy for transgender healthcare and equity in the pharmaceutical industry. As an Executive Director at Gilead Sciences and a transgender woman, Kupec emphasises the challenges faced by trans professionals, such as discrimination and limited healthcare access, and calls for corporate investment in education and nonprofit support to foster inclusivity. Read the article here.

3. Drug Patent Expiries: A Steep Cliff or Opportunity?

Thinking back to earlier in the year, drug patents was all the industry could talk about, and what it could mean for the future. This article explores the impact of upcoming patent expirations on major pharmaceuticals, emphasising challenges such as increased competition from generics and biosimilars. It highlights strategic responses, including mergers, innovation, and partnerships, as companies adapt to rapidly evolving revenue landscapes. Read more. 

4. Sustainability Report 2024: A Guide to Growing a Greener Industry 

The annual Sustainability Report, a labour of love, and an extensive insight into this crucial topic for the industry, simply has to feature on this list. The report explores the pharmaceutical industry's environmental impact, focusing on greenhouse gas emissions and waste, regulation, and green business approaches, while advocating for sustainable practices across the value chain. It features insights from several experts, case studies, and practical solutions, emphasising the need for collaboration and regulatory alignment to combat climate change. Download the Sustainability Report here. 

5. The BIOSECURE Act: Implications for the Pharma Supply Chain  

In a striking turn of events, the BIOSECURE Act was passed in the US House of Representatives in September 2024. This article examines the BIOSECURE Act, which restricts US pharmaceutical companies from collaborating with certain Chinese biotech firms to safeguard national security and personal health data. It explores the potential reshaping of global supply chains, with increased domestic manufacturing and opportunities for other regions like India to expand their market share. Read the article here. 

6. A Day in the Life of a Vice President in R&D  

Launched this year, the Day in the Life of Interview series hopes to bring the personal stories of those working tirelessly in the pharma industry to the forefront. This interview is the most read of the series so far and offers insights into the responsibilities and daily activities of Jennifer Sorrells, Vice President of Research, Development & Engineering at Ecolab. It explores her career path, challenges, achievements, and the importance of mentoring in fostering diverse leadership within STEM fields. Read on. 

7. Trump 2.0: What Does the US Election Result Mean for Healthcare?

As the world processes the outcome of the US Presidential Election, we believe it’s important to feature this article, which analyses the potential effects of Donald Trump's re-election on the pharmaceutical industry and the nation’s healthcare. Focusing on policies like the Inflation Reduction Act, drug price negotiations, and supply chain impacts due to proposed tariffs on imports the article contemplates what the future could look like. It also highlights conflicting opinions surrounding the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary and its implications for health legislation, including vaccines and abortion laws. Read the full article here.

8. Viral Marketing for B2B Pharma Businesses: A Case Study 

In this profoundly digital age, it seemed only prudent to feature one article from June of this year that discusses some of the implications and opportunities of a technologically advancing world. This article investigates the unexpected success of a Chinese chemical company's TikTok videos, which humorously went viral while showcasing their industrial-grade glycine. It explores the role of digital strategies like social media in B2B marketing, balancing creativity with measurable outcomes, and how platforms like TikTok might support awareness but rarely drive direct business results. See here.

9. CPHI Podcast Series: Why Women Matter in Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are coming under a lot of scrutiny in recent years, and companies and organisations alike are looking into how they can be improved to the benefit of a diverse global population. In this episode, Emma Banks, CEO of ramarketing discusses the importance of including women in clinical trials. The podcast delves into the medical, social, and systemic biases impacting drug safety and effectiveness, advocating for education, technological tools, and cross-sector collaboration to drive equitable research. Listen now. 

10. Seeking New Opportunities: Novel Drug Approvals of 2024  

Finally, this infographic highlights trends in novel drug approvals during 2024, focusing on key therapeutic areas, such as oncology and rare diseases, where innovation has been most pronounced. It also showcases regional data, approval timelines, and the growing role of advanced technologies, such as AI, in accelerating drug development processes. Look out for the complete list of approvals from the whole of 2024 early next year. View the infographic here.

This is just a small snapshot of what the past year has held for pharma and for CPHI, there are plenty more articles, webinars, interviews, and reports all featured on CPHI Online. On the events side of things CPHI had another record-breaking year, with hundreds of thousands of attendees across the portfolio, and recently the abundantly successful launch of CPHI Middle East marking the icing on the cake that has been 2024. 

The bar has been well and truly set for 2025, here’s to looking forward at what’s to come next year. 

Happy Holidays from Lucy and Vivian.