Overcoming challenges and embracing innovation in biopharmaceutical manufacturing

The article is based on a podcast and interview with Janet Hoogstraate in March 2025.

The biopharmaceutical industry is evolving rapidly, and innovation in manufacturing is playing a crucial role in ensuring life-saving treatments reach patients efficiently. At NorthX Biologics, we are at the forefront of this transformation, helping biotech companies scale their production and navigate the complexities of biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

From discovery to production: The manufacturing challenge

Developing a groundbreaking therapy is only the first step. Many small biotech companies face significant challenges when scaling up from laboratory-scale production to commercial manufacturing. A process that works in a small setting may not be feasible at scale, leading to costly delays and rework.

By collaborating with experienced contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) like NorthX Biologics, companies can optimize their processes early on, ensuring a seamless transition from research to large-scale production.

Bridging the talent gap in biopharma manufacturing

The demand for skilled professionals in biopharmaceutical manufacturing is higher than ever. With increasing automation, AI-driven process optimization, and advanced biologics production, the industry needs a workforce equipped with both technical expertise and practical experience.

At NorthX Biologics, we actively contribute to developing talent by fostering industry-academic collaborations and providing hands-on training opportunities. By investing in education and skills development, we help strengthen the biopharma ecosystem.

The role of AI & emerging technologies in biomanufacturing

Advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are transforming biopharmaceutical production. AI can optimize processes like chromatography, predict quality outcomes, and increase efficiency. Additionally, the rise of cell and gene therapies is driving the need for new production techniques, pushing the industry into uncharted territory.

As a leading CDMO, NorthX Biologics supports the development of these innovative therapies, ensuring companies have access to cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities.

A bright future for biomanufacturing

Despite the challenges, the future of biopharmaceutical manufacturing is full of opportunities. By fostering collaboration, leveraging technology, and investing in talent development, the industry is well-positioned to drive innovation and deliver next-generation therapies to patients worldwide.

At NorthX Biologics, we are committed to empowering biotech companies with the expertise and infrastructure needed to succeed in this dynamic landscape.

Click the link below to listen to the podcast (in Swedish):
Podd #52 – Svensk läkemedelstillverkning | Plantvision

Podcast with investor Ted Fjällman

NorthX Biologics’ investor and CEO of Flerie, Ted Fjällman made a guest appearance in a recent episode of Värdeskaparna, a podcast taking the audience behind the scenes in the private equity world.

During the podcast, Ted delves into the biotech industry’s current trends and future directions, sharing his valuable insights and experiences.

Click the link below to listen (in Swedish):
Värdeskaparna with Ted Fjällman

Q podden with CEO Janet Hoogstraate

Janet Hoogstraate, the CEO of NorthX Biologics, recently appeared in an episode of Q-podden, a podcast on manufacturing, quality and corporate culture in life science.

Janet discusses the latest trends and innovations in the biotech industry, offering her unique perspective and expertise. It’s definitely worth a listen for anyone interested in the field!

Click the link below to listen (in Swedish):

Q-podden with Janet Hoogstraate

Q podden with CQO Thomas Beck

Thomas Beck, the Chief Quality Officer (CQO) at NorthX Biologics, was recently featured in an episode of Q podden, a podcast on manufacturing, quality and corporate culture in life science.

In this podcast, Thomas shares valuable insights into the latest advancements and challenges in the field of biologics. It’s a must-listen for anyone interested in the biotech industry!

Click the link below to listen (in Swedish):

Q podden with Thomas Beck

Navigating Novo Nordisk’s acquisition of Catalent

In this episode of the Molecule to Market podcast, NorthX Biologics CEO Janet Hoogstraate was invited to discuss the implications of integrating Catalent’s capabilities into Novo Nordisk’s operations and what it means for the broader CDMO sector, in a panel together with other industry experts:

  • Dirk Lange, CEO at Pyramid Labs
  • Brett Alderson, President & Site Leader at NovaCina
  • John Cameron, Director, Global Injectables Platform at Corden Pharma

Podcast host Raman Sehgal discusses the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain with Dirk, Brett, John & Janet, focusing on:

  • Maximizing GLP-1 manufacturing capacity: Discussing Novo Nordisk’s recent acquisition of Catalent’s manufacturing facilities to bolster GLP-1 production capabilities
  • Industry consolidation: What this acquisition means for the pharmaceutical outsourcing industry and its impact on competition among CDMOs
  • Meeting surging demand: Exploring how this move positions Novo Nordisk to respond to the rapidly increasing demand for GLP-1 receptor agonists, like those used in diabetes and obesity treatments
  • Strategic manufacturing: The implications of integrating Catalent’s capabilities into Novo Nordisk’s operations and what it means for the broader CDMO sector

With GLP-1 drugs at the forefront of diabetes and obesity treatment, Novo Nordisk’s strategic acquisition of Catalent aims to strengthen its supply chain and boost production capacity to meet global demand. Our guests provide in-depth insights into how this acquisition could shape the future of drug development and outsourcing across the industry.

Listen to the podcast here:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/71wNcfTNnlf6EAC89gdQj1
Apple: https://ow.ly/8kNF50PlzOZ
Amazon: https://ow.ly/M3WI50PlzP1

Molecule to Market is sponsored and funded by ramarketing, an international marketing, design, digital and content agency helping companies differentiate, get noticed and grow in life sciences.

Navigating the regulatory and manufacturing realities of mRNA therapeutic development

The increasingly dynamic and multifaceted landscape of mRNA therapeutics is posing new regulatory and manufacturing challenges. Both startups and established biopharma companies require innovative solutions to help them meet the current demand and plan for the next generation of personalized cancer therapies, vaccines, and other mRNA-based therapeutics.

In this GEN webinar, a panel of industry experts will explore the evolution of mRNA technology and the innovations that are driving the conversation around manufacturing setups and regulatory decisions. During the webinar, panelists will cover diverse aspects of manufacturing optionality, including process considerations, scale, automation, digital tools, and facility design. They’ll analyze how these factors vary between different therapies and explain how they are shaping the manufacturing approach for small and large biopharma companies. They’ll also discuss regulatory considerations for mRNA manufacturing and share their perspectives on managing manufacturing needs from early-stage clinical trials to full-scale production.

Key learnings from the webinar include:

  • The impact of equipment and technology including automation on the efficiency and scalability in mRNA manufacturing
  • Important regulatory considerations in mRNA manufacturing from both the supply and customer viewpoints
  • How flexible solutions helps drug developers successfully navigate the unique funding and developmental timelines of their mRNA projects

Presenters:

Ola Tuvesson
Chief Technology Officer, NorthX Biologics

Katarina Stenklo
Sr. Product Manager, Global FlexFactory, Cytiva

Sandra Racordon-Pape
Head of Regulatory Science, Cytiva

Joe Barberio
Vice President Technical Operations, Strand Therapeutics


Register to listen on demand here.