Leading a State Owned CDMO

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Erik Haeffler, CEO at APL.

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

• Two decades at AstraZeneca, including being at the forefront of global sourcing and increasingly sophisticated supply chain management in pharma
• Managing a highly complex network of more than 100 CDMOs during his time at Meda
• Lessons from six years at Recipharm, where he led 4,000 people across 14 manufacturing sites
• The unique story behind APL, what attracted him to the CEO role, and how his assumptions about a state owned business were challenged
• Implementing a clear strategy for APL’s CDMO business, leading to stronger differentiation and significant growth
• The decision to acquire a penicillin facility, and the growth engine now driving APL forward

Erik leads APL, a Swedish pharma manufacturing company of 600 people across 5 sites. Being a state owned enterprise with a public policy assignment, APL is a bit of an odd bird on the pharma market. The state assignment comprises pharmacy compounding for the Swedish market, where APL has approx. 80% market share, and also a formal preparedness mission for supply in times of crisis and war. APL is also a fully commercial CDMO with a wide range of capabilities, focusing on a segment that fits into the company’s origin in compounding. Erik has more than 30 years in the pharma industry with senior roles in AstraZeneca, Meda and Recipharm. He is also a Board member at Nanologica. 

Connect with him on LinkedIn. 

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!