As the pharmaceutical landscape grows more complex, a striking trend has emerged in 2025: 78% of pharma companies now maintain partnerships with both small molecule and biologics-focused CDMOs. But what’s driving this dual engagement strategy?
1. Pipeline Diversification
Modern drug portfolios rarely rely on a single modality. With many companies pursuing both traditional small molecule therapeutics and innovative biologics like monoclonal antibodies or mRNA platforms, specialized CDMO support is essential for each stream.
2. Distinct Technical Demands
Small molecule production often emphasizes chemical synthesis, impurity profiling, and scale-up efficiency, while biologics require expertise in cell line development, bioreactor optimization, and cold chain logistics. No single CDMO excels equally in both areas.
3. Risk Mitigation and Redundancy
By splitting their outsourcing between small molecule and biologics CDMOs, pharma firms reduce operational risks and avoid bottlenecks. In an era of supply chain disruptions and regulatory uncertainty, this redundancy is seen as a strategic buffer.
4. Speed-to-Market Pressure
Specialized CDMOs offer tailored regulatory pathways, which can accelerate IND or BLA submissions. Leveraging dual partners ensures faster turnaround times across product types, supporting competitive timelines.
5. Cost and Capability Balancing
Engaging two distinct CDMOs allows firms to better control costs and capitalize on strengths unique to each partner, from innovation in formulation to efficiencies in GMP compliance.
Conclusion
The dual-CDMO strategy reflects a nuanced understanding of modern pharmaceutical development. In a market where agility, specialization, and risk management are key, maintaining separate partnerships for small molecules and biologics is not just common—it’s a competitive necessity.
