Catalent Capabilities

On February 5, 2024, Novo Holdings announced their intention to acquire pharma and biotech CDMO Catalent at US$16.5 billion. Read more about what this means for the pharmaceutical industry as a whole, from drugmakers to their partners in manufacturing. 

Novo Nordisk’s holding and investment parent company will acquire the publicly owned CDMO at the end of 2024, taking it private and selling three of its drug manufacturing facilities to Novo Nordisk. 

This session introduces a powerful software tool that transforms BLEF data into actionable performance models. Learn how automated data processing, simulation, and visualization accelerate development cycles and enhance cross-functional collaboration.

After another year of impressive nominations for the CPHI Pharma Awards our winners were announced at CPHI Barcelona in October. In this series of interviews, we speak to the people and teams behind the award-winning projects, concepts, and technologies. 

Discover a novel computational method for analyzing break-loose and extrusion force (BLEF) data. By moving beyond traditional assumptions, this approach unlocks deeper insights into injection dynamics—improving accuracy in predicting injector performance and informing better design decisions.

The increasing outsourcing trend among pharmaceutical companies represents a promising opportunity for CDMOs. This panel discussion at CPHI Worldwide touched upon some of the opportunities, hurdles, and trends ahead for the CDMO market

This presentation explores the complexities of labeling in drug-device combination (DDC) products, emphasizing the importance of integrating labeling considerations throughout the design control process. It outlines the unique challenges posed by DDCs, including regulatory ambiguity, process misalignment, and communication gaps between drug and device teams. Through a stage-by-stage walkthrough—from planning and design input to verification, validation, and commercialization—the presentation highlights how cross-functional collaboration, regulatory intelligence, and early inclusion of labeling and artwork functions can mitigate risks and ensure compliance. Real-world examples underscore the consequences of misalignment, while practical strategies such as traceability matrices and human factors engineering are proposed to bridge gaps. The talk concludes with a call for unified goals, agile methods, and transparent communication to streamline labeling and enhance patient safety.

Two 2,000-liter single-use bioreactors to be installed as part of first phase expected to be operational in April 2023

Wearable devices that monitor vital signs, physical activity, and other health metrics are now utilized by approximately one in three individuals for tracking personal health and wellness. Despite their evident advantages, the integration and widespread adoption of connected devices within the healthcare sector remain limited. This presentation will examine the underlying factors contributing to the slow uptake of these devices. Drawing on selected case studies of connected devices, it will explore current challenges faced by the industry, and discuss suggestions to overcome those challenges.

In the pharmaceutical industry, packaging is evolving from a simple protective function to a powerful tool for consumer engagement. Smart, connected packaging technologies are transforming how consumers interact with pharma products, offering personalized experiences, real-time health information, and enhanced convenience. These innovations not only improve patient adherence and satisfaction but also provide valuable insights for pharmaceutical companies. This session will explore how these advancements are shaping the future of packaging and driving deeper connections between healthcare brands and consumers.

In today's fast-paced market, with shorter time-to-market, rapidly evolving product life cycles, and growing SKU portfolios, brand owners are under increasing pressure. To stay competitive, they’re focusing more on what they do best—building their brands—while outsourcing production, packing, and distribution. This shift creates a unique opportunity for co-packers and manufacturers to play a critical role in helping brand owners scale, innovate, and navigate the complexities of today’s regulatory landscape. Here's how contract packers can rise to the challenge and become key strategic partners in the brand journey!

As the demand for temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals continues to rise, the need for efficient, compliant, and sustainable cold chain packaging has never been more critical. This discussion will explore how the pharmaceutical industry is navigating the complex landscape of regulatory compliance while also addressing the growing pressure for environmentally responsible practices. From ensuring product safety and efficacy through stringent temperature controls to adopting sustainable packaging solutions, this session will highlight the innovations and strategies that are helping pharma companies meet both regulatory requirements and sustainability goals. Join us to discover how the future of cold chain packaging is balancing compliance with eco-consciousness to create a more resilient and sustainable pharmaceutical supply chain.

This session explores how digital health tools and regulatory innovation are transforming pharmaceutical packaging—shifting from traditional paper leaflets to electronic product information (ePI). With a strong focus on the European regulatory environment, the panel will discuss how ePI is unlocking smarter, more sustainable, and patient-centric approaches to packaging and medicine information delivery.
Key Takeaways for R&D and Manufacturing Teams: Understand the EU’s regulatory shift toward ePI and its impact on packaging requirements, batch release processes, and lifecycle management. Learn how replacing paper leaflets with digital alternatives can streamline multilingual packaging, reduce manual errors, and support regulatory compliance. Explore how ePI enables more flexible packaging strategies—minimising overproduction, reducing material waste, and accelerating time-to-market for multilingual SKUs.

Innovative approaches to medicine distribution frequently fall short of reaching the people who need them the most, particularly in developing nations where acceptance is slowed by legislative, financial, and infrastructure constraints. Using India as a manufacturing powerhouse and a case study in unmet access, this seminar examines how to overcome that gap. A tech-enabled, community-based managed care approach that can act as a foundation for the dissemination of innovative treatments. Designing for real-world situations, utilizing regional manufacturing hubs, creating flexible regulatory paths, and precisely deploying last-mile are important topics of discussion. Participants will learn about cross-sector collaborations, financing methods, and scalable tactics that turn advances in medicine delivery into victories for health equity – positioning emerging.

Explore how predictive modeling can be integrated across the injector development lifecycle—from design and usability testing to regulatory submissions. This session highlights how modeling supports risk reduction, regulatory confidence, and faster market access.

As pharma packaging and drug delivery innovation accelerate, what should industry leaders be watching now? This forward-looking panel brings together experts to discuss the key themes driving momentum toward Pharmapack—from sustainable materials and smart packaging to connected devices and patient-centric delivery systems. Get early insight into the challenges and opportunities that will take center stage in Paris, and discover how to position your strategy ahead of the curve.

In an era where high quality, speed and flexibility define success in clinical supply, Catalent is leading the way with transformative packaging innovations. This session will explore how strategic investments in infrastructure and automation are reshaping the packaging landscape to support complex and niche commercial volumes - enabling faster, more agile delivery of clinical trial materials across global markets. Attendees will gain insight into Catalent’s FastChain® platform, with a hybrid supply model that blends pack-to-order and pack-to-stock strategies to optimise responsiveness and reduce waste. With over 22,500 batches packed and 50,000+ shipments delivered to 68 countries; FastChain® exemplifies scalable, demand-led packaging that aligns with real-time patient needs. Join us to discover how Catalent’s integrated approach to packaging innovation is setting new standards in clinical supply chain excellence, delivering measurable gains in speed, efficiency, and sustainability.

Pharmaceutical development is increasingly shaped by two converging challenges: the technical complexity of formulating emerging molecules and the external pressures of volatile global supply chains. Bioavailability constraints and stability continue to limit progress for small molecules and peptides, while tariffs, geopolitical risks, and onshoring initiatives are redefining cost structures and manufacturing localization strategies. Spray drying has evolved to be the leading technology for bioavailability enhancement of oral dosage forms through the manufacturing of amorphous solid dispersions. It is also the preferred technology for inhalation particle engineering for high drug loads and remains a versatile platform to isolate, increase stability, and improve delivery performance across several pharmaceutical modalities and functional ingredients. By scaling up efficiently to commercial volumes, large capacity spray dryers enable sponsors to advance programs more quickly and accelerate commercial readiness while strengthening supply resilience. When large-scale capacity is considered early in development, it reduces the risk of reformulation, accelerates timelines, and lowers cost of goods for high-volume therapies. This session will highlight how spray drying supports technical success and portfolio resilience, providing a strategic lens on technology adoption in a changing global market.

As global pharmaceutical markets evolve, Lifecycle Management (LCM) is no longer optional, it’s strategic. This session explores how softgel and Zydis® technologies offer a modern platform for revitalizing mature assets, enhancing bioavailability, and improving patient-centricity. Learn how Catalent’s global network and expertise deliver rapid reformulation, scalable manufacturing, and market differentiation—backed by case studies ranging from Rx-to-OTC switches to oncology transformations.