Expert Round – Outsourcing in Pharma 2025

The expert panel discussion focused on evolving trends in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly the growing importance of external manufacturing partnerships and supply chain strategies. Representatives from Bachem’s Supply Chain, Global Exclusive APIs, and Business Development for Generics highlighted the strategic shift toward externalization driven by the need for specialized technologies, cost efficiency, speed to market, and risk mitigation.

The conversation emphasized the transformation from transactional relationships to long-term, value-driven partnerships between pharmaceutical companies and contract manufacturers (CMOs/CDMOs). Key themes included supply chain robustness, transparency, flexibility, and the integration of customer and supplier operations. The panel also addressed the balance between consolidation and diversification in supplier networks, especially in niche areas like peptides and oligonucleotides.

Bachem’s proactive approach to aligning with customer needs through dedicated organizational structures and collaborative practices was presented as a model for future-ready supply chain partnerships.

About the Speakers

Neil Thompson

Senior Director Strategic Alliances

Since 2024, Neil Thompson is a Sr. Director of Strategic Alliance in Bachem. He brings over 20 years of commercial leadership experience from the PolyPeptide Group, having served roles as Global Director of Sales & Marketing and Executive Committee member. Neil previously worked at Bachem and Peninsula Laboratories in peptide production, holding roles such as Assistant Production Manager and Peptide Product Manager. With deep expertise in TIDES, CDMO operations, and GXP manufacturing, he has a strong track record in process development, scale-up, and regulatory compliance. He holds a Master of Industrial Drug Development from the University of Copenhagen and a BSc(Hons) in Chemistry & Biochemistry from John Moores University.

Romy Hauser

Director GSCM Network & Demand Center

Romy Hauser is Director of the Global Supply Chain Management (GSCM) Network & Demand Center, based in Bubendorf. With over 20 years of experience in supply chain management—including 16+ years in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries—she brings deep expertise and strategic insight to her role. Romy holds a degree in Business Economics and an MBA from Durham University Business School. A strong advocate for customer centricity, she ensures supply chain strategies align with customer needs. Her team represents supply chain in all customer projects, driving seamless collaboration and execution. Romy also leads cross-functional initiatives to optimize network performance and demand planning, fostering operational excellence and innovation.

Silvia Romeu Casals

Head of Global Exclusive APIs

Silvia is a leader in the pharmaceutical industry with over 20 years of experience in Development, Sales, Strategy, and Operations. She has held key roles in Spain and Switzerland at companies such as Polpharma and Novartis. A pharmacist by training, Silvia is a certified PMP and holds a PMD from IESE Business School. She joined Bachem in 2022, and since January 2023, she has been heading the Global Exclusive API team.

Sergey Malashikhin

Head of Global Business Development, Generic APIs

Sergey holds PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Zurich, Switzerland. Before joining Bachem in 2017 he has been working in the UK in R&D department of a Japanese corporation and later in Business Development of a small Biotech company. In his current role at Bachem he is responsible for new exclusive and multi-customer generics projects.

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