Informex - gambling on future success

The annual Informex trade show is a key forum for the pharmaceutical custom manufacturing industry. This year it takes place in Las Vegas from 19-22 January

As technology and capabilities become key differentiating factors for custom manufacturers, SOCMA's Informex trade show will become ever more important as a place to learn about new developments and trends in the industry and to identify what competitors are doing.Conditions in the fine chemical custom manufacturing sector are difficult today, with consolidations and closures occurring. Further evolution is expected as the industry responds to overcapacity, competition from Chinese and Indian companies with low cost structures, changes in pharma industry outsourcing patterns and the advancement of biologics/macromolecules. To not only survive but be successful in such a climate, custom chemical manufacturers will need to reinvent themselves so that they can meet the special demands of their customers.

'Large scale fine chemicals manufacturing will move out of North America,' predicts Stuart Needleman, general manager, development services, for Rhodia Pharma Solutions and Informex '04 chairman. 'Specialised technology services will remain, and companies that develop expert capabilities in these areas will attract and retain customers.'

trends and technologies

At Informex custom manufacturers can inform the pharma industry about their specialised technologies and capabilities and learn about new technologies being introduced by other suppliers.

'Informex provides a forum for custom manufacturers to see what is going on in the industry and in customer industries like pharmaceuticals,' notes Jim Bruno, director of Chemical & Pharmaceutical Solutions. 'Companies can identify key trends, new technologies and emerging issues and gain a good overview of what is happening in the custom manufacturing industry.'

According to Bruno, the pharmaceutical industry still represents the greatest growth opportunities for custom manufacturers. 'Pharma is also still dependent on contract manufacturing, and the custom chemical manufacturing industry needs to align itself with the pharma industry,' he adds.

Emerging companies are developing new candidates and using new technologies, and it is the pharma industry that can afford to implement new technologies more than other customer bases. For these reasons, pharmamaceuticals will continue to drive the growth of the custom manufacturing industry.

The Informex Planning Committee has designed the show to meet the needs of custom manufacturers serving the pharma industry and other market sectors as well. More than 4000 attendees will be able to view the products and services of 450 companies.

Educational sessions will cover cGMP and post-approval reporting requirements for the pharma and biotech industries, intellectual property licensing issues and new developments in homogeneous catalysis. The emerging technologies poster pavilion highlights a broad base of cutting edge technologies from companies and universities, while the exhibitor showcase presentations and luncheon also provide information on new technology developments in the industry.

This year Informex moves to a new location in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the aim of increasing the international flavour of the show and attracting attendees from the biotech and emerging pharma industries on the West Coast. The keynote speaker, Dr David Kessler, former commissioner of the US FDA, will be providing an important perspective on the regulatory climate for new drug approvals.

'With the show floor and hotel all under one roof, networking opportunities will be enhanced, leading to tremendous efficiency gains,' notes Nick Shackley, executive director, sales and business development with Avecia Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals.

meeting ground

As usual, networking opportunities for custom manufacturers and their pharma customers will abound: evening receptions and networking roundtable discussions offer ample opportunities to meet new and existing customers. A golf tournament will provide yet another opportunity for networking. 'Informex acts as a meeting ground, bringing together custom manufacturing suppliers and buyers,' says Robert Dollinger, director of sales with SK Energy and Informex '04 vice chairman.

top show

For these reasons, Informex has become the premier show in the US for custom manufacturers. Both pharma companies attending the show and custom suppliers exhibiting will find Informex to be an invaluable investment. SOCMA has specifically designed the show to meet the needs of the custom chemical manufacturer and to attract only highly qualified and serious attendees and exhibitors.

Top decision makers from pharma customers can meet with technical representatives from suppliers to conduct business deals.