Selecting the right contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) can have a direct impact on development timelines, regulatory readiness, technology transfer, and commercial success. While technical capabilities remain a priority, pharmaceutical companies are increasingly evaluating how a CDMO communicates, collaborates, and supports programs throughout the product lifecycle.

The Contract Pharma Contracting & Outsourcing Conference returns September 24–25, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick, New Jersey. As one of the pharmaceutical outsourcing industry’s premier annual events, the conference brings together pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology organizations, and CDMOs to discuss development, manufacturing, commercialization, and outsourcing strategies. As a sponsor and exhibitor, CPL will be available throughout the conference to discuss development programs, commercial manufacturing, technology transfer, and long-term outsourcing strategies for liquid and semi-solid dosage forms. Attendees looking for a CDMO specializing in liquid and semi-solid pharmaceutical products are encouraged to meet with the CPL team to discuss upcoming development and commercial manufacturing programs.

Contract Pharma Brings the Pharmaceutical Outsourcing Community Together

For more than two decades, the Contract Pharma Contracting & Outsourcing Conference has served as one of the industry’s leading events for pharmaceutical outsourcing professionals. Its location in the heart of the East Coast pharmaceutical corridor makes it an ideal venue for companies throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and beyond to connect with qualified development and manufacturing partners.

For CPL, the conference is an opportunity to do more than showcase capabilities. It provides dedicated time to meet face-to-face with pharmaceutical companies evaluating new development programs, planning commercial manufacturing, or preparing for technology transfer. It also allows the CPL team to reconnect with existing clients, discuss ongoing projects, and explore future opportunities for collaboration.

Technical Capability Is Only One Part of the Evaluation Process

Many pharmaceutical companies begin evaluating a CDMO by asking about equipment, manufacturing capabilities, formulation expertise, and analytical support. Those questions remain important because successful development depends on having the right technical foundation.

Companies should also evaluate how efficiently a CDMO can move a project forward. Questions surrounding proposal timelines, project initiation, development schedules, registration batches, validation activities, and technology transfer often determine whether development milestones stay on track.

Commercial manufacturing introduces another layer of evaluation. Experience with similar dosage forms, proven technology transfer processes, regulatory inspection history, and commercialization timelines become equally important when selecting a long-term manufacturing partner.

The Best CDMO Relationships Extend Beyond Manufacturing

Manufacturing capability is the starting point. Long-term success depends on everything that happens before and after production begins.

A strategic CDMO relationship starts with technical discussions that involve the right subject matter experts from the beginning. Initial conversations should demonstrate a clear understanding of the product, identify potential development challenges early, and establish realistic expectations for timelines and deliverables.

As projects progress, communication becomes equally important. Pharmaceutical companies should understand who will manage the program, how project meetings will be conducted, how technical questions will be addressed, and what escalation pathways exist if issues arise. A well-defined communication strategy reduces uncertainty, improves transparency, and helps programs maintain momentum throughout development and commercial manufacturing.

Questions Pharmaceutical Companies Should Be Asking Their Next CDMO

The Contract Pharma Conference provides an ideal setting to evaluate potential outsourcing partners. Rather than focusing only on manufacturing capacity, pharmaceutical companies should explore how a CDMO will support the entire product lifecycle.

A few important questions can quickly reveal whether a potential partner is equipped to support both immediate project needs and long-term commercial objectives.

Does the CDMO have proven expertise with the required dosage form?

Experience with oral liquids, topical liquids, nasal sprays, creams, ointments, gels, pastes, and other semi-solid products can significantly reduce development risk while helping projects move more efficiently through development and commercialization.

Can the program remain with one organization from development through commercialization?

Working with a single CDMO throughout formulation development, analytical testing, clinical manufacturing, registration batches, validation, stability studies, and commercial production can reduce technology transfers, improve continuity, and simplify project management.

How quickly can the project move forward?

Development speed extends beyond manufacturing timelines. Companies should understand proposal turnaround, project onboarding, development schedules, technology transfer planning, and regulatory milestones before selecting a CDMO partner.

What level of technical engagement can be expected?

Successful projects rely on direct access to formulation scientists, project managers, manufacturing specialists, quality professionals, and commercial teams throughout development. Early collaboration often leads to faster decision-making and more efficient execution.

Why Pharmaceutical Companies Meet with CPL

CPL supports pharmaceutical companies developing and manufacturing liquid and semi-solid drug products for prescription and over-the-counter markets. The organization provides capabilities that span pharmaceutical development through commercial manufacturing, allowing many programs to remain with a single partner as they advance toward commercialization. Many of CPL’s client relationships span decades, and a significant portion of new business comes from repeat customers who continue to rely on CPL as their products progress from development through commercial manufacturing.

Development services include formulation development, analytical support, and specialized Skin Lab capabilities. Manufacturing infrastructure supports a broad range of liquid and semi-solid dosage forms using versatile processing and packaging equipment designed to accommodate varying batch sizes and commercial requirements.

Bottle filling, nasal spray filling, tube filling, sachet filling, alcohol-containing formulations, and non-alcohol formulations can all be supported within the same facility. This integrated approach helps reduce complexity as products move through development, scale-up, and commercial manufacturing.

Early Collaboration Leads to Better Outcomes

Successful outsourcing partnerships often begin with technical conversations before a formal request for proposal is submitted.

Early collaboration allows development teams to evaluate formulation challenges, manufacturing approaches, regulatory requirements, and commercialization strategies before significant investments are made. These discussions also help determine whether technical capabilities, regulatory approvals, manufacturing infrastructure, and project timelines align with long-term program objectives.

For companies planning global commercialization, evaluating regulatory readiness early is equally important. A manufacturing partner with established FDA and Health Canada approvals, along with the ability to support future international market expansion, can help simplify commercialization while minimizing additional technology transfers. Equally important is confirming that the CDMO has the technical expertise and manufacturing capabilities to support the program from early development through commercial supply, eliminating unnecessary transitions between providers as the product advances.

Meet the CPL Team at Contract Pharma 2026

Whether evaluating a new development program, preparing for technology transfer, or seeking a long-term commercial manufacturing partner, Contract Pharma provides an opportunity to have meaningful conversations with experienced CDMO professionals.

CPL invites pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology organizations, generic manufacturers, procurement teams, strategic sourcing professionals, formulation scientists, and emerging pharmaceutical companies to visit the CPL booth during the conference. The team will be available to discuss formulation development, oral liquids, topical products, nasal sprays, creams, ointments, gels, pastes, technology transfer, and commercial manufacturing strategies tailored to each organization’s goals.

Schedule a meeting with the CPL team during the Contract Pharma Contracting & Outsourcing Conference on September 24–25, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Whether the need involves early-stage development, technology transfer, or commercial manufacturing, CPL provides reliable, scalable solutions for liquid and semi-solid pharmaceutical products backed by more than 35 years of expertise.