Biologics Industry Leaders to Gather at Festival of Biologics in Basel in 2025

The Festival of Biologics conference in Basel 2025 brings together the biologics ecosystem, including pharma and biotech leaders, start-ups, academics, regulatory authorities, and investors. Catalent will be present with a technical talk on designing for complexity in multifunctional biologics and offer pre-arranged meetings with experts. The conference will explore breakthrough therapies, cell and gene treatments, immunotherapies, and biosimilars.

Thermo Fisher Scientific's acquisition of Sanofi's Ridgefield site in New Jersey marks a significant strategic move in the biopharma sector. The $2 billion deal, announced in September 2025, aims to expand Thermo Fisher's contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) capabilities and bolster its supply chain resilience [1].

The Ridgefield facility, now integrated into Thermo Fisher's pharma services business, adds over 200 employees and critical sterile fill-finish capacity, addressing a key bottleneck in drug production for both Sanofi and third-party clients [1]. This acquisition aligns with Thermo Fisher's broader strategy to mitigate global supply chain risks by expanding domestic manufacturing capabilities. By joining existing U.S. facilities in Greenville, North Carolina, and Plainville, Massachusetts, Thermo Fisher now offers a robust network for sterile drug product manufacturing [1].

The acquisition supports a projected 4.1% Q2 2025 revenue growth in Thermo Fisher's Biopharma Services segment, with analysts expecting high-single-digit CDMO expansion and an 18.8% operating margin [1]. The integration of the Ridgefield site into Thermo Fisher's existing infrastructure is expected to reduce overhead costs and further bolster margins. Additionally, the company's $2 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing will fund automation and capacity upgrades, enhancing efficiency and pricing power [1].

Thermo Fisher's CDMO business is now the "partner of choice" for biopharma clients, according to William Blair analysts, due to its unmatched regulatory track record and integrated capabilities spanning drug substance to drug product manufacturing [2]. The acquisition of Sanofi's site also reduces competition in the sterile fill-finish segment, as seen after Novo Holdings' purchase of Catalent, which removed a major rival from the market [2].

From a valuation perspective, Thermo Fisher's 2025 revenue guidance of $43.3–$44.2 billion reflects confidence in its ability to navigate near-term challenges, including U.S.-China tariff headwinds. Analysts project $27.17 in 2027 earnings per share, with a price target of $598 by 2026, driven by appreciation of its pharma partnership model [2]. The company's 97.68% market share in the Scientific & Technical Instruments industry (Q1 2025) further underscores its dominant position [2].

Conclusion

Thermo Fisher's acquisition of Sanofi's Ridgefield site is a strategic masterstroke that positions the company to dominate the CDMO sector. By expanding U.S. manufacturing capacity, enhancing supply chain resilience, and leveraging its regulatory expertise, Thermo Fisher is well-positioned to outperform peers in a market expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 8.5% through 2030. For investors, this move signals a compelling long-term opportunity, with revenue and margin growth underpinned by strategic acquisitions, capital discipline, and a first-mover advantage in sterile fill-finish capabilities.

References

[1] Thermo Fisher Scientific Completes Acquisition of Sanofi's Ridgefield, New Jersey Site [https://ir.thermofisher.com/investors/news-events/news/news-details/2025/Thermo-Fisher-Scientific-Completes-Acquisition-of-Sanofis-Ridgefield-New-Jersey-Site/default.aspx]

[2] Thermo Fisher Scientific's CDMO business is poised for growth, say analysts [https://www.pharmamanufacturing.com/all-articles/article/55310949/thermo-fisher-scientifics-cdmo-business-is-poised-for-growth-say-analysts]