Process decisions have far-reaching consequences. Partnering with a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) can accelerate your path to clinic but requires careful evaluation to ensure it's the right choice for your cell therapy.
CDMOs offer immediate access to manufacturing expertise, regulatory knowledge, and established infrastructure. This partnership allows you to leverage existing systems while focusing on your core strength: advancing breakthrough science.
"The most successful cell therapy companies recognize that manufacturing decisions made today will shape their business outcomes tomorrow. Partnering with the right CDMO isn't just about outsourcing production, it's about accelerating your path to patients while minimizing risk." — Joe Sinclair, VP & Head of Commercial
A strong CDMO relationship serves multiple strategic purposes:
Many successful early-stage companies have recognized that dividing focus between scientific innovation and GMP manufacturing creates unnecessary complexity. By partnering with the right CDMO, you gain access to quality systems and manufacturing capabilities without diluting your scientific focus.
A successful CDMO partnership is built on true collaboration, not just a transactional relationship. Long-term success relies on mutual engagement, transparent communication, and the alignment of shared goals. The most effective partnerships capitalize on complementary strengths to drive progress.
CDMOs, with their experience across multiple clients and therapeutic modalities, offer valuable cross-disciplinary expertise that can significantly enhance your development process. However, without consistent alignment and communication, you risk undermining the GMP-readiness essential for bringing your therapy to market.
"Strategic partnerships thrive on transparent communication and aligned expectations. The strongest CDMO relationships are built on mutual trust, clear accountability frameworks, and shared commitment to navigating the challenges that inevitably arise in cell therapy manufacturing." —Adam Haskett, Sr. Director & Head of Strategic Alliances and Partnerships
Effective contracts should explicitly outline:
Open, honest discussions about potential challenges before committing to a contract help establish realistic expectations and create the foundation for successful collaboration.
Finding the right manufacturing partner requires thorough due diligence. The ideal CDMO acts as a true partner, seamlessly integrating with your team while remaining flexible, committed, and aligned with your therapeutic’s vision and clinical objectives.
When assessing potential CDMO partners, prioritize those who demonstrate:
For earlier-stage CDMOs without extensive late-phase and commercial history, evaluate their talent depth, technical resources, and operational foundation. The right partner should enhance your capabilities while providing the manufacturing expertise necessary to advance your therapeutic toward patients.
Scientific breakthroughs hold immense promise but turning them into real-world therapies requires more than innovation alone. At Made Scientific, we exist to drive life-saving cell therapies from development to delivery. Our comprehensive facilities provide the ideal environment for cell therapy production with state-of-the-art development, GMP manufacturing, quality control testing, and warehousing and cold storage management.
Our partnership model is built on four key drivers that ensure successful therapy advancement:
From early development through commercial manufacturing, Made Scientific is ready to transform your scientific breakthrough into a treatment that changes lives.
Need expert guidance on your partnership strategy? Let’s talk.