Celltrion is stepping up efforts to broaden its global business portfolio beyond biosimilars, using the upcoming CPHI 2026 exhibition in Milan as a platform to pursue partnerships in novel drug development, contract manufacturing and pharmaceutical supply chains.
The South Korean biopharmaceutical company said Monday it will participate in CPHI 2026, scheduled to take place in Milan, Italy, from Oct. 6 to 8 local time. The event is expected to bring together more than 60,000 industry professionals representing about 2,400 companies from more than 170 countries.
Rather than focusing solely on showcasing its existing products, Celltrion plans to use the three-day event for business discussions with potential partners across several areas.
A key focus will be its novel drug pipeline. Celltrion plans to identify global companies with complementary capabilities in areas including oncology, obesity and metabolic disorders, and autoimmune diseases. The company aims to use such partnerships to expand its next-generation pipeline and accelerate the development of new therapies.
The strategy reflects Celltrion’s broader effort to diversify its growth drivers. While biosimilars remain a core part of its business, the company is seeking additional opportunities in drug development and manufacturing as competition intensifies across the global biopharmaceutical market.
Supply chain resilience will also be a major theme at the exhibition. Celltrion plans to strengthen relationships with existing suppliers of raw materials and contract manufacturing partners while searching for new collaborators to diversify its supply base and improve cost competitiveness.
The company is also looking to capitalize on growing demand for contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) services. Celltrion intends to leverage its experience in developing antibody-based biologic drugs and its manufacturing capacity to explore customized partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies.
Industry observers have increasingly focused on the expansion of outsourcing across the biopharmaceutical sector, as drugmakers seek greater flexibility in development and manufacturing. For Celltrion, expanding into CDMO services could provide another avenue for utilizing its accumulated expertise and production infrastructure while creating new business opportunities alongside its biosimilar operations.
Celltrion has participated in CPHI with its own booth for five consecutive years since 2022. This year, the company will operate a roughly 46-pyeong, or about 152-square-meter, standalone exhibition space equipped with dedicated meeting rooms and a lounge.
The company plans to hold a series of one-on-one meetings with potential customers and business partners throughout the event. It will also showcase its research, development and manufacturing capabilities to pharmaceutical and biotechnology professionals from around the world.
“CPHI will provide an opportunity to demonstrate Celltrion’s drug development and manufacturing capabilities on the global stage while further strengthening our global supply chain,” a Celltrion official said. “We will pursue opportunities to strengthen the supply competitiveness of our existing businesses while responding to growing CDMO demand and developing partnerships around next-generation novel drug pipelines.”
