Year in Review: The 10 most-read pharma articles of 2025

We feature the most popular articles published on CPHI Online from 2025, ranging from blockbuster news over GLP-1 therapies, including discussions with experts on the subject, to some of our regular interview series features, and content surrounding our biggest event of the year, CPHI Frankfurt. 

Huge developments, from drug development to politics have shaped the past year in industry, much of which our content has covered with the aim of giving insights and expert perspectives on the more complex and nuanced matters that shape this dynamic field. The following highlights our most-read articles of the year, which give an indication of how the past year in pharma has developed. 

1.    How GLP-1 agonists are reshaping drug delivery innovations

GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy, initially developed for Type 2 diabetes, have gained immense popularity for weight loss, driving demand and putting pressure on supply chains. These drugs, which regulate blood glucose and lipid metabolism, are also being explored for further applications in cardiovascular health and inflammation reduction. With the market projected to reach $150 billion by the 2030s, pharmaceutical companies are focusing on partnerships, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable solutions to meet growing demand while addressing challenges in accessibility and scalability. Read the article here. 

2.    CPHI Podcast Series: From Patents to Public Health: The GLP-1 Journey

This CPHI Podcast episode explored the future of GLP-1 therapies and their transformative impact on clinical treatment. Guest Aurelio Arias, Director of Thought Leadership at IQVIA, discusses the implications of semaglutide’s 2026 patent expiry on affordability and access, particularly in regions like India, China, Brazil, and South Africa. The episode also examines challenges in lower-income countries, and the potential of small molecules to replace polypeptides in obesity treatments, offering hope for broader care solutions. Listen now.

3.    Transforming Pharma Sustainability: dsm-firmenich’s Nature and Climate Strategy

Dsm-firmenich is one company leading pharmaceutical sustainability by addressing key challenges and aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Their initiatives focus on reducing environmental impact, building resilient supply chains, and fostering collaboration. Their work aligns with SDGs 2, 3, 7, 8, 12, and 13, promoting renewable energy, emissions reduction, and resource efficiency. Looking ahead, the pharmaceutical industry faces growing regulatory and environmental pressures, requiring standardised frameworks and sustainable practices, dsm’s practices are preparing them now for the future of sustainable pharma. Read more. 

4.    A Day in the Life of a UX Design Consultant

Katie Price, a UX Design Consultant at Team Consulting, focuses on improving user experiences in medical technology, including digital health, drug delivery, and diagnostics. With a degree in Industrial Design and Technology from Brunel University, Katie’s career highlights include designing a mixed reality solution for burns training and winning a Good Design award. She emphasises user-centred research, sustainability, and collaboration to create impactful designs. Passionate about psychology and behavioural science, Katie aspires to work on cutting-edge medical projects while exploring AI’s potential in design. Outside work, she enjoys rowing, cycling, and promoting eco-friendly living. Katie embodies the ‘Day in the Life of’ interview project perfectly, demonstrating how personal interests can help shape careers, and care for others. Read Katie's full interview here. 

5.    2025 Pharma Trends Outlook: Collaborative Pharma – A New Era of Supply Chains

The 2025 Pharma Trends Outlook report highlights significant changes shaping the pharmaceutical industry, from 2024 and heading into 2025. These focus on supply chain reorganisation, the integration of AI in Pharma 5.0, and strategic sustainability. Supply chains continue to be restructured in response to disruptive legislation, such as the BIOSECURE Act. Efforts to build resilience include nearshoring and reducing reliance on single countries, though questions remain about whether these changes truly diversify dependencies. The growing demand for specific drugs, such as GLP-1 agonists, is also driving supply chain adaptations.

AI plays a pivotal role in Pharma 5.0, which emphasises patient-centred care across drug development and manufacturing. However, challenges persist in ensuring reliable AI systems, separating quality data from flawed data, and addressing regulatory concerns.

Sustainability is another key focus, with companies under pressure to measure and reduce Scope 3 emissions across their supply chains. New sustainability policies are driving collaborations that prioritise environmental goals, making sustainability a central consideration for partnerships in 2025. Overall, the report highlights the industry’s shift towards greater efficiency, innovation, and environmental responsibility, in early 2026 we’ll see how these trends have progressed and what we can expect for the year to come! Download the full report here. 

6.    A Day in the Life of a Director of Business Development

Thomas Hauser, Director of Business Development at Tjoapack, brings nearly 30 years of experience in pharmaceutical packaging, specialising in market development and leadership. Thomas has contributed to clean room construction and facility rebuilds during COVID-19. Passionate about innovation, he sees opportunities in biologics, AI integration, and sustainable manufacturing, while mentoring young professionals and aligning his work with personal values. Thomas is a brilliant example of someone in the pharma industry working tirelessly for the success of the future of healthcare. Read the interview now. 

7.    Women in Pharma: Celebrating Two Years and Wisdom for the Future

Since launching the CPHI Online Women in Pharma series, we’ve had the honour of engaging with inspiring women leaders across the pharmaceutical value chain. Their stories consistently highlight themes of authenticity, courage, and resilience. This past year marked our 2-year anniversary, and we took the opportunity to celebrate the invaluable lessons and insights the women we’ve interviewed have shared. The article features an infographic that captures key themes and unique perspectives from these remarkable women, showcasing what it truly means to be a Woman in Pharma. See the infographic here. 

8.    Women in Pharma: Upskilling both talent and businesses 

The Women in Pharma series has highlighted influential women shaping the pharmaceutical industry and promoting equity. This fascinating interview features Marianne Gissane, Director at Vector Talent, who focuses on building high-performing teams and coaching businesses on diverse hiring practices. She emphasises the importance of DEI, mentorship, and reimagining workforce strategies to address talent shortages. Gissane advocates for continuous skill-building, partnerships with educational institutions, and adapting to regional nuances. Her advice to future women leaders is to embrace opportunities, seek mentorship, and recognise the vital role of diverse perspectives in driving innovation and progress, we hope that this is a message that carries through to 2026 and beyond. Read the interview. 

9.    A First-Time Attendee’s Guide to CPHI Frankfurt

CPHI Frankfurt 2025 became home to over 60,000 pharmaceutical professionals from 160+ countries for three days of innovation, collaboration, and opportunity. Highlights included the Leadership Summit, mentorship programmes, and the CPHI Pharma Awards. This article was aimed at giving an insight to First-time attendees. Looking back now, the event was a huge success, and hopefully these first-time attendees will be returning to CPHI next year as seasoned patrons. See the article here. 

10.    CPHI Frankfurt 2025 – From the Floor 

Our From the Floor blog returned with us to Frankfurt for the 2025 edition of CPHI Frankfurt, which ran from 28–30 October. We were thrilled to be back in this hub of global innovation to connect, collaborate, and drive growth in the pharmaceutical industry.

The blog as always, enabled us to share live updates from the show floor, conference theatres, Start-Up Market, the CPHI Celebration, and more. With so much innovation and collaboration ahead, this show didn’t disappoint, setting the bar high for CPHI Milan in 2026! Catch up on the blog here.