The pharmaceutical manufacturing landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace as we move toward 2025. Three transformative trends in particular are reshaping how drugs are developed, produced, and brought to market: the adoption of green chemistry principles, the acceleration of nearshoring initiatives, and the expanding role of Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs).
Together, these trends are creating opportunities for greater efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at their impact on the pharmaceutical industry and their promise for the years ahead.
As global markets shift toward sustainability, the pharmaceutical industry is increasingly embracing green chemistry. This revolutionary approach, championed by Dr. John Warner—widely regarded as one of its founders and a member of GL CHEMTEC's Scientific Advisory Board—is transforming chemical processes to minimize hazardous substances and waste.
Green chemistry integrates sustainability into every stage of a product's lifecycle, prioritizing safety, efficiency, and environmental stewardship. Unlike traditional approaches, this methodology reduces waste and enhances competitiveness while maintaining superior performance.
“Your typical pharmaceutical company generates from 200 to 500 grams of waste for every gram of product. Reducing that waste by even 10% can save hundreds of millions annually in a single company,” Dr. Warner said, explaining that not only does green chemistry have environmental benefits, it also helps with speed to market and profitability.
“By definition, green chemistry is a technology that has superior performance, superior cost, and—oh, by the way—addresses sustainability issues.”
Implementing green chemistry isn’t simply about updating practices; it demands a cultural transformation within organizations.
“The key is in the culture,” Dr. Warner emphasized. “Great leadership and skills are crucial, but it’s culture that drives success.” To achieve this, companies must prioritize:
Educational initiatives are propelling the adoption of green chemistry. Dr. Warner’s nonprofit, Beyond Benign, has inspired over 200 universities worldwide to integrate green chemistry into their core curriculum. “If we give people the skills and get them to understand the principles, everything they do will be amazing,” he explained.
Green chemistry isn’t just a strategy—it’s a paradigm shift that delivers measurable environmental and economic benefits, positioning companies as leaders in a more sustainable future.
Global supply chain disruptions have underscored the vulnerabilities of relying solely on overseas production. In response, many pharmaceutical companies are reshoring manufacturing to North America, partnering with local CROs and CDMOs to enhance collaboration and ensure operational stability.
We recently spoke with Dr. Rob Larsen, a member of GL CHEMTEC’s Scientific Advisory Board, to better understand some of the key benefits of working with a North American CDMO, including:
Enhanced oversight: Proximity to North American facilities facilitates easier travel and communication, allowing for better oversight of manufacturing processes and quality.
Seamless communication and collaboration: Sharing time zones with a CRO/CDMO partner simplifies real-time communication.
Reliable supply chain security: Reshoring minimizes risks associated with global shipping.
By reshoring and working with North American CRO/CDMOs, companies can streamline processes, reduce risks, and bring innovative therapies to market faster.
The demand for specialized expertise and infrastructure in drug development has fueled the growth of the CDMO market, which is projected to reach $309.5 billion by 2028. As the complexity of drug development increases, CDMOs have become essential partners in helping pharmaceutical companies bring therapies to market efficiently and at scale.
Leading CDMOs provide:
State-of-the-art facilities: From state-of-the-art cleanrooms to scalable pilot plants, CDMOs meet evolving manufacturing needs.
Regulatory navigation: Their expertise ensures smoother approvals across global regulatory frameworks.
End-to-end project management: Acting as CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) leads, CDMOs manage projects from conception to commercialization.
In short, by leveraging strategic CDMO partnerships, companies can navigate regulatory complexity, access advanced technologies, and accelerate timelines, ensuring their products’ long-term market success.
Dr. Kasey Minick, an esteemed member of the GL CHEMTEC Scientific Advisory Board, recently highlighted some of the key factors to consider when evaluating a CDMO:
Comprehensive expertise: A CDMO’s experience in navigating the unique regulatory, quality, and manufacturing requirements for different product types is essential. “You want expertise and experience in the field—medical devices and pharmaceuticals have very different regulatory approaches,” Dr. Minick explained.
A strong track record in specialized areas such as ophthalmic drug development can also be a decisive factor. “It’s a real game changer to have a CDMO like GL CHEMTEC, that has expertise in formulations and who understands regulatory affairs and can collaborate closely with manufacturing. This ensures well-made, profitable products that will stay on the market for decades,” he said.
Broad capabilities under one roof: Leveraging a single CDMO for development, manufacturing, testing, and release provides consistency and efficiency.
“Evaluate all of their capabilities because you want to utilize as much of those in one place,” said Dr. Minick. This approach simplifies tech transfers and reduces the risks associated with fragmented partnerships.
Collaborative, multidisciplinary teams: Leading CDMOs integrate expertise across disciplines, bringing together specialists from formulations, analytical development, QA, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs.
“When you've got a CDMO that brings everyone into the loop and you start having multifaceted project meetings, the efficiency and outcomes are unparalleled," Dr. Minick noted.
Green chemistry, nearshoring, and CDMO partnerships are transforming pharmaceutical manufacturing, addressing critical challenges like sustainability, supply chain vulnerabilities, and regulatory complexity. Together, these trends are paving the way for a more efficient, innovative, and sustainable future in drug development.
As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, embracing these transformative approaches will be key to staying competitive and driving impactful change in the pharmaceutical industry.
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