CPhI Worldwide, organised by UBM Live, has announced its full line up of confirmed expert industry panel members for 2014, building on the huge success of the CPhI annual report launched at CPhI Worldwide in October 2013.

This year’s panel sees the return of 10 thought leaders with the addition of three new members, covering the entire pharmaceutical supply chain from R&D through to finished products, regulatory requirements and economic implications. Additionally, this year panel members are utilising their market insights and analysis year round in the CPhI Pharma Insights series, which cover individual topics and developments across the industry- including the released R&D, manufacturing and Turkey reports, with a United States report due out imminently.

The new panel members are all from the contract manufacturing arena, with heavyweights Alan Armonstrong (CEO) and Douglas Cookson (VP corporate marketing) from Almac. Hendrik Baumann, the current CEO of Arevipharma, leverages his expertise within the German market and across API manufacturing. Lukas Utiger -president of Fine Chemicals and Integrated Offering at DSM- will lend his insights in the commercialization of pharmaceuticals. Collectively they provide a global overview of outsourcing with Almac and Arevipharma focusing on the international market from a European stance and DSM from a US perspective.

The returning members feature expertise across API and manufacturing efficiencies (Girish Malhotra) to quality systems and supply chain activities (Sam Venugopal), with insights also provided from some of the sectors biggest names and innovators, like Piramal’s Vijay Shah. Across supply chain issues, the panel will leverage the knowledge of Hedley Rees, whilst Prabir Basu, formerly of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology and Education (NIPTE), will focus on the industry’s approach to innovation.

Regulatory expert, predominantly focussed on the Indian market, Dilip Shah also returns covering the intellectual property rules around innovation. Brian Carlin, who chairs IPEC Americas Excipient Qbd Committee, is also returning. He serves as the director of Open innovation at FMC and received the IPEC One World Regulatory Excellence Award in 2014. The winner of several FDA Commissioner Awards, Dr. Ali Afnan is another well-respected industry influencer and was a key contributor to the drafting and finalising of the current FDA Process Validation Guidance.

Emil Ciurczak, previously a member of the FDA’s PAT committee and president of Doramaxx Consulting draws upon his expertise across PAT, QbD and spectroscopy. Finally, William Botha, a respected trainer and mentor in manufacturing is also retuning to the panel; he is fluent in FDA regulations, including GDP and GMP.

Last year’s report examined major issues and developments across the industry including regulatory challenges from a globalised industry, cost savings through QbD and PAT, to the effect breakthrough drugs like ADCs will have on overcoming future disease pathologies.

“The 2013 report was hugely successful with our experts providing insights into how the industry will adapt in the near future. This year we have been able to see the progress the industry has made along with the new challenges and threats ahead. Our experts will examine future potential breakthrough drugs, regulatory risks and supply chain issues. This year we also have representation from leading global CDMO players, Patheon, Almac and Arevipharma- adding a further depth of perspectives and providing a completely holistic picture of the global pharma landscape.” commented Chris Kilbee, Group Director Pharma at CphI.

The 2014 annual report features a collection of in depth essays from each panel member - with experts again given carte blanche to prophesize how the industry will look and operate in the future from both an economic and practical perspective.

Kilbee added, “I am very pleased that we have been able to include in our panel many of the major figures in the industry, as they provide hundreds of years of experience both individually and collectively. The panel’s ability to provide a realistic approach to problem solving, coupled with an international outlook is essential in advancing market dynamics.”