From big pharma manufacturing lead to CDMO CEO

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Joerg Ahlgrimm, CEO SK pharmteco.

Your host, Raman Sehgal, discusses the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain with Joerg, covering:

• His journey from East Germany to leading global manufacturing organisations.
• How building and integrating acquired CDMO relationships ultimately led him to Lonza, where he helped scale the manufacturing network from fifteen to thirty five sites worldwide.
• What he learned about the “sticky” nature of the CDMO business, and the unforgiving reality of being a CDMO partner when execution does not go to plan.
• The leap from the scale and structure of Lonza in Basel to becoming employee number four at a CDMO start up in Philadelphia.
• Why his vision for a small molecule CDMO is to be easy to work with and present across the key global manufacturing regions.
• Why, despite the rise of blockbuster GLP one therapies, he believes the future lies in small volume, highly targeted, and complex to manufacture personalised medicines.

Joerg Ahlgrimm is a global operations and supply chain executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience across the biotech, pharmaceutical, vaccines, and medical device industries. As CEO of SK pharmteco, he leads the company’s strategic growth and operational excellence across its global manufacturing network.

Prior to SK pharmteco, Joerg served as Head of Global Operations, Pharma and Biotech at Lonza AG, where he oversaw 37 sites worldwide. Earlier, he led the manufacturing network for Baxter Bioscience/Baxalta, managing a broad global footprint and extensive CMO operations.

Driven by a passion for advancing patient care, Joerg is recognized for building high-performing teams and navigating complex global supply chains. He was recently appointed to the inaugural Strategic Advisory Board of BioPhorum, joining senior industry leaders to help shape the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply chain resilience.

Molecule to Market is also sponsored by Bora Pharmaceuticals and supported by Lead Candidate. Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues and join us in celebrating and promoting the value and importance of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!