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In a world saturated with plastic, the environmental toll of its ubiquitous use cannot be ignored. DaeHeung IBN recognizes the urgency of this crisis. As a manufacturer of pharmaceutical plastic packaging containers, Daeheung IBN focuses on sustainable green pharmaceutical packaging solutions for SDGs implementation, plastic conversion into petrochemicals, preservation of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and realization of ESG values. “The outburst of the pandemic has amplified the prominence of pharmaceutical products, leading the industry to transform its packaging practices. DaeHeung IBN confronts this challenge by specializing in eco-friendly plastic products,” says Jae-woo, Jung, senior executive director, DaeHeung IBN. “Our mission is to disseminate information about reducing plastic waste in the pharmaceutical sector, offering insights into hazardous chemicals, plastic substitutes, and alternatives for plastic polymers and products.” Its premier product, ‘Eco UCOV,’ exemplifies its dedication to sustainable packaging. This innovative container, developed using GEX, a second-generation natural polymer derived from eggshells, contributes to a 30 percent reduction in plastic usage, a significant step towards a plastic-free and resource-circulating future. Envisioning a greener future, the Eco UCOV comes with a certification of SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance) Eco-product, making it environmentally beneficial. Compared to traditional petroleum-derived materials like high-density polyethylene (HDPE), GEX significantly reduces the carbon footprint. The SGS test reports released in November 2021 stated that the product gave positive outcomes within the method detection limit for harmful heavy metals, total metals, flame retardants, chlorinated paraffin, and organotin compounds. These tests ensure that its products align with global policy trends and consumer demands for pharmaceutical products.
Manufacturing effective and safe medications for patient treatment is a highly regulated process that necessitates compliance and adherence to strict quality norms. Continuous refinement of quality systems eliminates gaps in medicinal quality standards, guaranteeing consistency globally. Nippon Shinyaku Co.,Ltd(NS) is an R&D-based pharmaceutical company that develops medical drugs to treat rare diseases. It has specialized in developing low molecular products and phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMO) acceptable in U.S. and Japanese markets. The company maximizes product value by out-licensing proprietary drugs in line with regional regulations and in-licensing promising drugs manufactured by other pharmaceutical companies. “Our focus lies in contributing to the advancement of healthcare on a global scale and greatly impacting every patient’s well-being,” says Yoshizumi Tanaka, general compliance officer of quality assurance at NS. NS’s groundbreaking drug development practices have strategically focused on drug for intractable diseases. It has obtained approval for the first-ever PMO, Viltepso, designed for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Cytel is a multinational clinical research organization and statistical software developer headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. The company is renowned for its expertise in optimizing clinical trials through advanced analytics and adaptive trial designs. Founded in 1987 by research scientists at Harvard University and MIT Cyrus Mehta and Nitin Patel, it has grown into a global leader, supporting drug development for 37 of the world’s 40 largest pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). With over 1,900 employees across 15 North American, European, and Asian offices, Cytel operates at the intersection of statistical innovation and operational execution, contributing to more than 300 adaptive trials annually. From its early days as a provider of DOS-based statistical tools to its current role as a developer of AI-enhanced clinical trial platforms, the company has remained committed to advancing clinical research methodologies. “As the world’s leading data-science CRO and pioneers in adaptive trial design, we leverage the power of data to inform your strategy at every stage of drug development,” says Yannis Jemiai, Chief Scientific Officer of Cytel. At the core of Cytel’s offerings is its ability to solve complex challenges in clinical trial design and execution. As a pioneer in adaptive trial methodologies, the company has developed flexible frameworks like group sequential designs and Bayesian approaches, gaining widespread acceptance among major regulatory bodies. These methodologies allow trial sponsors to modify study parameters based on interim data, reducing costs and accelerating timelines while maintaining statistical rigour. The biostatistics and programming division provides end-to-end support, from protocol development to regulatory submissions, with specialized expertise in rare diseases, oncology, and cardiovascular research. Further expanding its capabilities, Cytel strengthened its real-world evidence solutions in 2024 by partnering with OneMedNet. This collaboration integrates medical imaging data with electronic health records to enhance observational studies in oncology and cardiology. This collaboration exemplifies the company’s strategy to bridge traditional clinical trial data with real world insights for more robust evidence generation.
Haichen Yang, MD, MA, MBA, Vice President, Clinical Research, Amicus Therapeutics Inc [NASDAQ: FOLD]
Narayana Rao, Vice President of Biopharma, Asia Pacific Middle-East Africa, Avantor [NYSE:AVTR]
Dr. Israfil Merican, MD, MHM, Director of Pharmaniaga Marketing Sdn Bhd, Pharmaniaga Berhad
Wataru Momose, Ph.D., Director of Business Strategy, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co [TYO: 4578]
Armand Matejunas, Sr. Director, Clinical Data Operations, Pacira BioSciences, Inc
Suci Ameliya Reza Zairizal, Assistant Manage, Novugen Pharma
Kathleen Kee, Head of HR–EMEA & Asia, Santen [TYO: 4536]
The APAC region is becoming a key hub for clinical trials, with pharmaceutical distributors evolving into critical partners by providing specialized logistics, regulatory expertise, and technological solutions.
The APAC pharmaceutical sector is shifting to virtual trials and real-world evidence, enhancing clinical research efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and patient access across diverse populations.
Redefining Pharma Supply and Clinical Research Innovation
Artificial intelligence now underpins more intelligent forecasting, helping spot risks early, manage inventory efficiently, and reduce waste. Blockchain strengthens trust by creating tamper-proof records that track every step from manufacturer to pharmacy.
Warehouses are getting faster and more accurate with automation and robotics replacing manual tasks. Orders move quickly, even as volumes grow and delivery windows shrink.
This drive for efficiency extends to clinical trials. Decentralized models, wearable devices, and remote monitoring gather real-world patient data with less disruption. Researchers gain richer insights, and participants benefit from more flexible trial experiences.
Market growth highlights this momentum. Pharmaceutical distribution solutions could reach about $503.9 billion by 2030, growing 7.1 percent annually. The clinical research organization market may reach $35 billion by 2034, with about 11.8 percent annual growth. Clinical trial endpoint solutions could reach $9 billion by 2050, expanding around 14.1 percent yearly.
Together, these advances point to a supply chain and research landscape that is faster, more resilient, and more responsive to real-world care.
The magazine brings thought leadership articles from Dr. Israfil Merican, MD, MHM, Vice President - Head of Biopharma and Patient Access, Pharmaniaga Berha, stressing the importance of scaling 4IR technologies to build resilient, sustainable, digitally driven pharmaceutical manufacturing. Wataru Momose, Ph.D., Director of Anti-Tuberculosis Project (Global TB project), Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co, also highlights the critical need for rigorous pharmaceutical quality assurance to prevent tragedies caused by contaminated drugs and ensure patient safety throughout the product lifecycle.
This edition features Pharmaceutical Packaging Solutions Provider in APAC, Clinical Research Organization in APAC, and Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Solutions Provider in APAC. We hope you find the right partner to meet your organization’s needs.
