As drug development has become more diverse and complex, drug manufacturing has followed suit. Over time, this has resulted in contract drug manufacturers broadening their service offerings. 

This primer reviews the evolution of contract drug manufacturing and examines how  CDMOs (contract drug manufacturing organizations) currently market themselves in light of their expanded service offerings. It also explores some key issues, including: 

  • What types of messaging exist to imply/demonstrate expanded services? 
  • Under what circumstances do CDMOs consider mergers and acquisitions when attempting to broaden their service offerings? 
  • Are contract drug manufacturers behaving more like one-stop shops? 
  • What are the benefits and disadvantages of one-stop shops? 
  • Which CDMOs brand themselves as CRDMOs (contract research and manufacturing organizations) and/or CTDMOs (contract testing and manufacturing organizations? 
  • How else do CDMOs position themselves when marketing expanded services?