Congratulations to the 2026 Finalists
The 2026 CDMO Leadership Awards finalists were selected based on direct feedback from biopharma decision makers and independently analyzed by our research partner, Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development.
Finalists are listed alphabetically within each category. Winners will be announced live on March 25 in New York.
CDMOs are grouped into two revenue-based categories, Large and Small/Mid-Sized, so companies are evaluated among similar peers. For the purposes of the awards, $1B in CDMO revenue is used as the threshold between the two groups.
CDMO of the Year
Biologic CDMO of the Year
Large CDMOs
- AbbVie
- Samsung Biologics
- WuXi Biologics
Small/Mid-Sized CDMOs
- Eurofins
- KBI Biopharma
- Pharmaron
Cell & Gene Therapy CDMO of the Year
Large CDMOs
- Lonza
- MilliporeSigma
- Recipharm
Small/Mid-Sized CDMOs
- Aldevron
- Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services (Forge Biologics)
Small Molecule API CDMO of the Year
Large CDMOs
- Almac
- Lonza
- WuXi STA
Small/Mid-Sized CDMOs
- Asymchem
- Esteve CDMO
- Pharmaron
Small Molecule Finished Dose CDMO of the Year
Sponsored by MasterControlLarge CDMOs
- Lonza
- Vetter Pharma
- WuXi STA
Small/Mid-Sized CDMOs
- Bend Bioscience
- Corden Pharma
- Pharmaron
Fill-Finish CDMO of the Year
Large CDMOs
- AbbVie
- Vetter Pharma
- WuXi Biologics
Small/Mid-Sized CDMOs
- Eurofins
- KBI Biopharma
- Syngene International
Best in Class Finalists
The companies below represent the top finalists in each Best in Class attribute by modality and company size.
Large CDMO Biologic
Lonza
MilliporeSigma
WuXi Biologics
AbbVie
Samsung Biologics
WuXi Biologics
AbbVie
Samsung Biologics
WuXi Biologics
AbbVie
Samsung Biologics
WuXi Biologics
AbbVie
MilliporeSigma
WuXi Biologics
AbbVie
Samsung Biologics
WuXi Biologics
Large CDMO Cell & Gene Therapy
FUJIFILM Biotechnologies
MilliporeSigma
Recipharm
MilliporeSigma
Recipharm
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Lonza
MilliporeSigma
Recipharm
Lonza
MilliporeSigma
Recipharm
Lonza
MilliporeSigma
Recipharm
MilliporeSigma
Recipharm
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Large CDMO Small Molecule API
Lonza
MilliporeSigma
WuXi STA
Curia
Lonza
MilliporeSigma
Almac
Curia
Lonza
Almac
Lonza
MilliporeSigma
Almac
Lonza
MilliporeSigma
Almac
Curia
WuXi STA
Large CDMO Small Molecule Finished Dose
Lonza
Vetter Pharma
WuXi STA
Catalent
Lonza
Vetter Pharma
Catalent
Lonza
Vetter Pharma
Catalent
Lonza
Vetter Pharma
Lonza
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Vetter Pharma
Catalent
Thermo Fisher Scientific
WuXi STA
Small/Mid-Sized CDMO Biologic
KBI Biopharma
Pharmaron
Simtra BioPharma Solutions
IDT Biologika
KBI Biopharma
Simtra BioPharma Solutions
Abzena
KBI Biopharma
Simtra BioPharma Solutions
AGC Biologics
Eurofins
KBI Biopharma
Abzena
KBI Biopharma
Simtra BioPharma Solutions
AGC Biologics
PCI Pharma Services
Simtra BioPharma Solutions
Small/Mid-Sized CDMO Cell & Gene Therapy
AGC Biologics
Aldevron
IDT Biologika
Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services (Forge Biologics)
Aldevron
IDT Biologika
Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services (Forge Biologics)
Aldevron
IDT Biologika
Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services (Forge Biologics)
Aldevron
IDT Biologika
Aldevron
Cellipont
IDT Biologika
Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services (Forge Biologics)
Aldevron
IDT Biologika
Small/Mid-Sized CDMO Small Molecule API
AGC Pharma Chemicals
Alcami
Pharmaron
AGC Pharma Chemicals
Asymchem
Veranova
AGC Pharma Chemicals
Veranova
AGC Pharma Chemicals
Esteve CDMO
Veranova
AGC Pharma Chemicals
Asymchem
Esteve CDMO
AGC Pharma Chemicals
Asymchem
Veranova
Small/Mid-Sized CDMO Small Molecule Finished Dose
Alcami
Asymchem
Bend Bioscience
Asymchem
Corden Pharma
Grifols International S.A.
Asymchem
Corden Pharma
Grifols International S.A.
Asymchem
Corden Pharma
Grifols International S.A.
Asymchem
Corden Pharma
Pharmaron
Asymchem
Corden Pharma
Grifols International S.A.
Jury Award FINALISTS
Most Innovative CDMO
Sponsored by CAI
Recognizes a CDMO that has demonstrated meaningful innovation with real-world impact, whether through advanced development approaches, novel delivery technologies, application of AI, or manufacturing excellence that improves outcomes for partners.
Small Molecule
- Carbogen Amcis
- Esteve
- Upperton
- Veranova
Biologics
- AGC Biologics
- FUJIFILM Biotechnologies
- Just-Evotec Biologics
- Rentschler Biopharma
Cell & Gene Therapy
- NorthX Biologics
- Oxford BioMedica (OXB)
- ProBioGen
- Viralgen
Best New or Relaunched CDMO
Honors a CDMO that has successfully entered the market or reintroduced itself through a significant relaunch, showing clear strategic focus, differentiation, and early momentum with biopharma partners.
- Ardena
- Axplora
- Biovectra
- Lotte Biologics
- Minaris Advanced Therapies
- Rezon Bio
- Simtra BioPharma Solutions
Best CDMO Management Team
Recognizes an executive leadership team that has demonstrated strong vision, execution, and culture, driving sustained growth, operational excellence, and trusted client partnerships.
- 3PBIOVIAN
- Dottikon
- Grand River
- IDT Biologika
- Siegfried
Best Private Equity Team Supporting the CDMO Industry
Honors a private equity team that has played a meaningful role in strengthening the CDMO sector through thoughtful investment, long-term strategy, and support of operational and organizational excellence.
- 1315 Capital
- EQT
- GHO Capital Partners
- Permira
- THLee
- Warburg Pincus
Sustainability Leadership Award
Sponsored by Federal Equipment Company
Recognizes a CDMO that has demonstrated measurable progress in advancing sustainable manufacturing practices, reducing environmental impact while strengthening operational efficiency and long-term industry resilience.
- Boehringer Ingelheim BioXcellence
- Lonza
- Samsung Biologics
- Thermo Fisher Scientific
- Vetter Pharma