2025 CMC- China

What Did I Learn at CMC-China 2025? Here's How Pharma Leaders Are Navigating Global Shifts

I had the privilege to attend the 2025 CMC-China conference. It wasn’t just an industry event — it was a masterclass in strategy from some of the most seasoned minds in pharmaceutical manufacturing and business development. Here are my top takeaways, especially relevant to Middle East formulation players:

🌍 Middle East: A Battlefield of Global Competence Formulation competition in the Middle East is no longer just regional. It’s where the best from the US, EU, India, Russia, and China meet.

The question is not "who’s cheaper," but "who delivers more value?"

🚛 Russia-China Route: A Growing Opportunity Due to favorable geopolitical ties, air freight and logistics between China and Russia are becoming more efficient — opening new doors for Middle East procurement channels as well.

💡 How to Stand Out: Cost Differentiation Is Not Enough True differentiation comes from total value:

•Quality consistency

•Clear and responsive communication

•Localized service mindset

🧠 Insights from Industry Leaders

1. Ms. Yan Ban – Zhongninghua (China-Europe DBA)

•“Low growth is the new normal. Adapt.”

•"Customers aren’t just price-sensitive — they want peace of mind."

•“Good service needs to be tangible, not theoretical.” → At Pharmaserve, we’re building our service framework around this belief.

2. Frank (MSN Procurement Head, Born 1985)

•MSN sources 70+ APIs from China and supplies to EU/US.

•“China is still irreplaceable in API volume and regulatory support.”

3. Mr. Wang Zhengye – Suzhou Chuanjian (ex-Berry)

•Go beyond China: Southeast Asia, Russia, Turkey, Egypt, and Iran are shifting toward local manufacturing (N-1, N-2 models).

•Suggestion: collaborate with foreign partners (JV/equity) — like hiring a local guide when traveling.

•FDF is different from API — it’s B2C, with human, emotional decisions.

📌 “If you don’t localize your mindset, you can’t globalize your business.”

🔍 What Middle East Buyers Really Want Whether in Egypt, Saudi, or the UAE — customers want suppliers who:

•Understand both the words and the subtext

•Can deliver not just API but a solution

•Think long-term and invest in reliability

🔬 STADA’s Qin Weimin on What’s Changing

•From API to FDF, vertical integration is key

•Analyze the cost ratio in your product:

e.g., Semaglutide API = $400/g → Tablet price = $1.5

•High-API-cost FDFs are more sensitive to API supply chain

•Good suppliers: deliver on time, adapt packaging, communicate directly with FDF manufacturers

•"The best suppliers aren't the lowest-priced. They’re the ones who truly understand the production rhythm."

🌟 Hikma’s Perspective

•The MENA market isn’t isolated — it aligns with EU/US on price and compliance

•Collaboration over commoditization.

•Winning products are those with unique IP, formulation know-how, and service readiness

🧩 Final Words from Ms. Tan Manfang

•"Every service point must feel secure to the customer."

•During a customer visit, she said, “We may face trade wars, but we will win by doing our job right.” → I couldn’t agree more.

🔗 Let's Connect At Pharmaserve, we are actively looking for regional partners in the Middle East — partners who want reliable API sources, total solution packages, and long-term vision. If that sounds like your team, let's start a conversation.

📩 phoenixlt2023@gmail.com | 🌐 www.fmspharm.com