Different Types of Pharmaceutical Subcontracting
More and more pharmaceutical companies today are turning to CMO (contract manufacturing organisation) and CDMO (contract manufacturing and development organisation) subcontractors in order to optimise the various stages of drug manufacture and benefit from a high level of technical expertise. These subcontractors are considered strategic partners, since they contribute their know-how in the shaping or production of pharmaceutical products or materials. Their areas of intervention depend on the needs of the pharmaceutical industries: research and development (R&D), drug manufacturing, quality control and analysis phases, development in the clinical research phase.
Instead of carrying out the design, development and manufacture of their drugs or pharmaceutical materials on their own sites, companies choose to outsource part of their activities to a pharmaceutical subcontractor. This is the case if they have insufficient capacity, if they want to produce small batches, or if the manufacture of their pharmaceutical products requires the use of special equipment.
There are two types of pharmaceutical subcontractor:
- CMO (Contract Manufacturing Organization) subcontractors, which are companies that work for other companies to manufacture medicines to the latter’s specifications.
- CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) subcontractors, who offer more personalised and flexible services than CMOs in the development and manufacture of medicines or medical devices.
Advantages of Using a Pharmaceutical Equipment Subcontractor
Pharmaceutical companies of all sizes use pharmaceutical subcontractors to handle part of their drug or pharmaceutical device production on an individual basis. This solution offers a number of advantages, including the following:
- Productivity gains: pharmaceutical subcontracting is one of the best alternatives when there is a surge in orders, a shortage of manpower or a technical incident. CMOs/CDMOs can bring their expertise to bear on all or part of a production line at any stage of the manufacturing process.
- Economical: by entrusting part of its activities to a pharmaceutical subcontractor, the company does not have to hire out expenses linked to the reorganisation of its industrial sites. It does not have to anticipate costs in terms of staff qualifications and equipment.
- Added value: the know-how provided by subcontractors enables them to add significant value to the activities of the pharmaceutical industry.
- Geographical relocation of industrial manufacturing stages: outsourcing their activities enables pharmaceutical manufacturers to relocate their manufacturing processes geographically.
- Product quality: pharmaceutical subcontractors, like industrial clients, are strictly governed by the standards governing the sector, in particular Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
MGA Technologies, Your Pharmaceutical Equipment Subcontractor
MGA Technologies can become your pharmaceutical subcontractor for the design and manufacture of pharmaceutical equipment. On the basis of a CMO or CDMO contract, we can take partial or full responsibility for the development and/or production of sterile tube connection and disconnection equipment, cleanroom task automation systems, cell culture machines and single-use component assemblies.
We offer turnkey services, allowing you to focus more on your drug development or manufacturing activities. Deploying MGA Technologies solutions ensures that your pharmaceutical processes comply with GMP requirements. Get a free quote by contacting our team of technical experts.
