CPHI North America 2023: from the experts – Pfizer CentreOne

Throughout CPHI North America (Philadelphia, PA; April 25–27, 2023), we caught up with some of the exhibiting organisations to ask what the show brings to the North American pharmaceutical sector, and what is driving industry innovation in this region of the world.  

Could you please give an overview of your role at Pfizer CentreOne? 

Strauss: I lead the global technology innovation team, my team works with our customers to bring their product to market, from development tech transfer all the way up to commercialisation.  

Ladd: I’m part of the North American drug product CDMO business development team.  

Strauss: Pfizer CentreOne is part of Pfizer where we offer contract development and manufacturing services for customers innovative products our intent is to bring breakthroughs to patients whether it’s a Pfizer product or a customer-innovated product.  

What does it mean for Pfizer CentreOne to be here at CPHI North America? 

Strauss: It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to make new contacts, because our staple objective is to bring new breakthroughs to patients so keeping touch with our patients on an annual basis whether it’s Pfizer product or a customer’s products, making those good connections, seeing what services we can offer to facilitate that for our existing customers.  

It’s great to be here in person!  

What is the importance of regional events like CPHI North America for specifically the pharma services industry in the US and Canada?  

Strauss: It helps with the customers based in this region; the Northeast is a big body of potential customers with innovative products. I’m sure budgets are tight, and everyone is still adjusting getting back to travel, so regional events where you can drive or take a train is a cost saver for these smaller companies.  

What is Pfizer CentreOne bringing to CPHI North America this year?  

Strauss: To make sure we’re meeting with customers, where they need the services – so anything development, tech transfer, manufacturing services etc. 

Are there any specific challenges for the pharma services sector right now and how are they affecting the wider global industry?  

Strauss: Things have started to improve recently, there were lead time challenges with componentry and excipients, but I wouldn’t really say any overall challenges right now.  

Ladd: I guess one challenge regardless of time is just finding the correct partner for your outsourcing needs, that’s why we are trying to set ourselves apart as altogether different in how we can do the best for where they [customers] are. Whether Pfizer CentreOne can assist them or whether we need to refer them out to a competitor partner that’s more suitable for their needs.  

How do trade shows like CPHI North America help companies like Pfizer CentreOne achieve their business goals?  

Ladd: The partnering to be able to find matches both for the customers to make sure they have someone to work with, and for us as well. So, the partnering aspect is very important to us to be able to make those connections.  

It’s amazing regardless of how large Pfizer is or how long Pfizer CentreOne has been around, there’s still some people that are unaware of us, so we need to raise that awareness and recognition of how we can help them, it’s always a good objective for us here.  

How have you found navigating the transition from virtual and hybrid event back to in-person events?  

Ladd: Personally speaking, virtual events were challenging, level of engagement was low and just having that face-to-face interactions, those important conversations and reacting first hand or on the fly, how can we meet your needs is definitely preferred.  

Strauss: The educational aspects at the in-person events, the tracks that are offered, the panel discussions, these are very educational from both a CDMO perspective and a customer perspective.  

What are you most looking forward to this year at CPHI North America?  

Strauss: I was impressed by the band and the cutting of the ribbon on the first day, that was really fun!  

Ladd: I’m looking forward to building our existing relationships and making new ones at the event!