Pharma prepares for CDMO growth in 2025 as CPHI Milan reports record attendance

Success marked by 18 percent growth in exhibitors and 9 percent in attendees

Amsterdam, 16^th December 2024: CPHI Milan – the world’s largest pharma event – hosted last month in Milan saw a new record attendance of 59,000 pharma executives buoyed by returning confidence and increased deal-making on site.

The event’s success is widely used as a proxy for overall growth in global pharma in the year ahead, with attendance up 9% on 2023 and a remarkable 45% over the last two years. This level of partnering engagement is expected to transfer through into significant growth for the industry in 2025, with contract services firms well placed to pick up returning biotech and big pharma project spend.

“We had a tremendously successful event with record numbers of exhibitors and attendees in Milan this year. Based on the strong demand we’ve seen, we are already planning an additional contract services hall at our next event in Frankfurt to meet growing market needs,” commented Adam Andersen, Executive Vice President, Pharma at Informa. “The consistent feedback we received from attendees indicates a robust rise in partnership interest and deal values, with new supply chain partners emerging across the industry. This momentum is expected to fuel substantial growth not only for CPHI but also for the global pharma sector, advancing our mission to accelerate human health.”

Exhibitor numbers at CPHI Milan rose to 2,838 – up 18% from 2,400 in 2023 – with visitors attending from 148 countries. Next year’s edition will be held at the Messe Frankfurt (October 28-30) in Germany – one of ‘the hearts of pharma’ manufacturing in Europe. 

Another industry insight from CPHI Milan show-floor was the continued expansion of innovation emerging from smaller companies. The event’s Start-up Market is designed to help larger companies engage with a growing base of smaller firms. The 2024 edition saw an impressive 89 Start-up companies take part, up from 40 in 2023, and this is set to be a major growth area of the event moving forward as CPHI becomes a hotbed of drug discovery, development and commercialisation innovation. These innovators are advancing new targets, devices, and sustainable packaging solutions for drug development and manufacturing.

Gil Roth, President of the PBOA: “What struck me from speaking with exhibitors on the ground is that the buoyancy in the market is very clearly back and both exhibitors and attendees were looking to invest time in meeting new partners. My CDMO members say they are talking to a lot more customers about a diverse range of services and opportunities, and it's my hope this will pass through into very strong growth, not just in 2025, but also in the medium term.” 

-ENDS-

About CPHI

CPHI is the leading global community for pharmaceutical professionals, hosting a portfolio of digital and in-person connection opportunities across the whole pharma supply chain on a scale like no other.

At the heart of Pharma 

CPHI & PMEC India (28-30 November 2023 at the India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR – Delhi, India); Pharmapack Europe (24-25 Jan, 2024 at Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles - Hall 7.2, Paris). CPHI Japan (17-19 April, 2024 at the Big Sight Exhibition Centre – Tokyo, Japan); CPHI North America (7-9 May, 2024 at Pennsylvania Convention Center, United States); CPHI China (19-21 June 2024 at SNIEC – Shanghai, China); CPHI South East Asia (12-14 Jul 2024 at QSNCC, Bangkok, Thailand); With support from year-round pharma news, products and services at CPHI Online.

About Informa Markets

Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio is comprised of more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world’s leading exhibitions organizer, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year.

For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.

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