Esteve Named Global Champion in Small-Molecule API Category at the 2025 CDMO Leadership Awards

Esteve was honoured with the 2025 CDMO Leadership Award in the Small Molecule API – Global category and also recognized with the Champion Award, delivered to the CDMO with the highest ranking in this category.
These prestigious recognitions reflect not only our commitment to excellence in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing but also the trust and collaboration of our clients and partners worldwide. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has made this journey possible. ​And above all, a heartfelt thank you to our incredible team at who has provided the opportunity of receiving such remarkable achievements ESTEVE. You are the driving force behind our success.​​

This award is the result of a shared effort, a collective commitment to delivering value, innovation, and better health for people everywhere. Let's keep advancing health together!​

Esteve Química, the CDMO division of leading specialty pharmaceutical company ESTEVE, has been named the Champion of the 2025 CDMO Leadership Award in the Small Molecule API – Global Category. This honor comes as the company accelerates its international expansion with €180 million in global investments—including €100 million dedicated to producing high-potency active pharmaceutical ingredients (HPAPIs). These highly specialized compounds play a critical role in treatments for oncology and other serious conditions. By strengthening the HPAPI capabilities, US pharmaceutical innovators will  have access to advanced technologies and expertise required to develop and manufacture these life-saving therapies.

The award recognizes Esteve Química as a top-performing contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for its excellence in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing services. It also affirms the company’s strategic direction, as it undertakes its initiative to support U.S. market demand through expanded small molecule API production.

“This award reflects ESTEVE’s unwavering commitment to our purpose of improving people’s lives through the delivery of high-quality small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients,” said Andrea Oro, Global Head of Commercial Operations and Strategy at Esteve Química. “This recognition would not have been possible without the trust and support of our customers and partners. It is a well-deserved honor for our entire ESTEVE team.”

Presented by Outsourced Pharma and Life Science Connect, the CDMO Leadership Awards are based on comprehensive market research conducted by Industry Standard Research (ISR). The awards provide drug developers with insights into the industry’s most highly rated outsourcing partners, helping them identify CDMOs that meet or exceed customer expectations. This year, an enhanced scoring methodology was introduced in collaboration with Orientation Marketing, ensuring greater accuracy and reliability in assessing CDMO performance. The updated methodology applies across four key categories, including Small Molecule API, Biologics, Cell & Gene Therapy, and Small Molecule Dosage Form.

“We are thrilled to introduce our 2025 CDMO Leadership Awards winners to the outsourcing community and honored to offer drug sponsors a valuable tool in selecting the best-fit partner to bring life-saving therapies to market,” said Louis Garguilo, Chief Editor of Outsourced Pharma. “The new categories and enhanced scoring methodology elevate this year’s awards, providing an improved experience for drug sponsors while granting CDMOs a highly coveted distinction. The unveiling of the award champions in March will be an exciting highlight of the ceremony.”

Esteve Química, founded in 1966 as part of one of Spain's largest pharmaceutical groups, ESTEVE, is a Global leader in contract development and manufacturing of small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). With over 50 years of experience, the company specializes in developing, manufacturing, and marketing oral and injectable non-sterile APIs for regulated markets. Esteve Química operates multiple cGMP-certified facilities across Spain, Mexico, and China, supporting clients throughout the pharmaceutical value chain with comprehensive development and manufacturing solutions. The company is committed to excellence, employing state-of-the-art technologies and installations, including clean room areas for final manufacturing stages, to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare industry.