The modern biopharmaceutical industry faces a shifting landscape of changing regulatory requirements, technological advancement, and a shortage of talent. Customer demands are evolving to address dynamic patient needs, which include new devices for self-administration as well as new or modified primary packaging solutions which require a strong collaboration of all members of the value chain to implement reliably. Progressing government regulations like Annex 1 and the increasing complexity of drug modalities are pushing biopharma companies to adapt to changing requirements and supply chain disruptions. 

This shift places contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) firmly in the spotlight, requiring them to take on more responsibility than ever to safeguard supply chain stability. By building resilient and strategic partnerships through continued innovation and sustainable initiatives, CDMOs can support industry success and foster the seamless delivery of life-enhancing therapies and medications to patients globally. 

In 2026, some of the key industry trends essential to company success and maintaining stability include long-lasting partnerships, advancing technology, talent retention and high-quality fill and finish services.

Trend 1: Strategic Partnerships as a Competitive Advantage

In the face of an evolving pharma landscape, reliable partnerships are more crucial than ever before. Drug owners seeking to streamline and accelerate drug product development and manufacturing, especially smaller biotech companies with limited resources, can gain an advantage from the expertise and capabilities of a trusted and experienced pharmaceutical service provider. 

Most partnerships begin as a transaction focused on meeting a particular need, such as aseptic fill-finish services. But over time, with the right partner, these relationships can grow into true, trusted partnerships in which both companies are able to collaborate to tackle challenges, optimize processes, and anticipate and future-proof against potential roadblocks ahead. To fully leverage and build on all key players’ partnership in the pharma industry, strong collaboration should also be established between packaging suppliers, device manufacturers and labs. Investment into building these strategic relationships will help companies thrive in the industry.

We build our strong partnerships by listening to our biopharma customers so that we can offer recommendations aligned to their business goals, fostering trust and transparency through collaborative efforts, and building supply chain resilience. Strengthening these relationships can also help support our customers’ confidence in us and in our ability to deliver for them. 

Trend 2: Technology as an Enabler, not a Solution Alone

As pressure mounts to keep up with the latest tech trends, those who keep a firm focus on how tools can enable meaningful business impact will come out ahead. Artificial intelligence can be a powerful enabler, but its success depends on the people who guide and apply it responsibly. Simply implementing this technology is not the same as developing strategic solutions and driving partnerships forward.

We leverage AI to enhance quality control processes and streamline decision-making in Natural Language Generation and Robotic Process Automation, which helps to improve our precision and reliability of drug product manufacturing.

Relying on technological advancements does not replace experience, judgment, or accountability, especially in a highly regulated environment like the biopharmaceutical industry. It’s regarded as important to balance technology with clear human expertise as this approach enables solution providers to share responsibility effectively with their partners.

Trend 3: Talent and Expertise as Critical Infrastructure

Companies in and beyond the biopharma industry are struggling to maintain a fully staffed, skilled workforce due to ongoing talent shortages. To keep up, the life science community knows they are expected to take good care of its talent. Thus, investments in training and cross-functional expertise to meet operational demands and retain talent are likely to grow in 2026 among strategically minded companies.

By equipping employees for the skills they need, not just today but for the industry’s future, companies can attract and maintain a workforce that is stable, highly motivated and constantly supporting corporate innovation. 

CDMOs have increasingly invested in their workforce by fostering positivity and supporting physical and mental health within their culture. Organizations that create a dynamic work environment will be more competitive in attracting top-tier talent. 

These efforts can offer another opportunity to implement strategic technological tools. We incorporate advanced technologies like automation, digitalization and AI tools to support onboarding, streamline procedures, and advocate for lifelong learning opportunities to retain talent. 

Trend 4: Fill-Finish as a Strategic Bottleneck

Although high-quality fill-finish services are often underestimated or overlooked, they are crucial for pharma and biotech companies seeking the successful commercialization of lifesaving and life-enhancing medications. These fundamentals are generally considered strategically important, particularly during periods of high demand or expedited launch strategies. 

As medicines become increasingly complex, CDMOs are challenged to display agility to meet these needs from the customers and sustain regulatory compliance, even as production, technology, and regulations continue to evolve. 

Providing high quality development and manufacturing services that meet biopharma customer strategies for production and distribution will become an important differentiator for CDMOs in the coming years and can make the difference between products that flourish or flounder in the market – and between patients who thrive or suffer from their illness.

Looking to the Future, and Beyond

As 2026 begins, long-term partnerships, technological advancements, talent scarcity and excellent drug product development and manufacturing will be key trends that drive success in fill-finish manufacturing. 

The biopharma world of tomorrow won’t be defined only by technology or capacity. The industry will be shaped by strong, collaborative relationships between drug owners and their allies who are strategic and agile in creating value across the supply chain together.

Looking to 2026 and beyond, the pharma and biotech companies who gain an edge will be the ones who hold to strategic vision, forge strong partnerships, and balance technology and agility with steady reliability.

Carsten Press is a Managing Director and member of the Management Board at Vetter, responsible for Global Sales, Supply Chain Management, Strategy, and Legal & Compliance. He brings more than 25 years of international management experience from companies including Siemens and Infineon, as well as over 15 years at Vetter. Press is focused on driving the sustainable growth of the family-owned business and fostering a strong, employee-centric work environment.