Life sciences startups increasingly rely on external vendors and CDMOs throughout the product lifecycle: from development and technology transfer to clinical and commercial manufacturing. Choosing the right partners and managing these relationships effectively can have a significant impact on timelines, flexibility and supply continuity.

Designed for founders and senior decision-makers, this practical workshop provides a structured approach to selecting, managing and developing external partners. Participants will explore how to define what matters to their organisation, assess vendors against those requirements, understand the differing interests of buyers and suppliers, and build relationships that create value for both sides.

The workshop will also examine how vendor requirements can change as a product progresses through development. Participants will consider lifecycle requirements, capacity, resource utilisation, supplier-specific technologies and contractual dependencies, and how these factors can affect flexibility, timelines and continuity of supply.

Through practical examples and structured frameworks, you will explore how to:

• Define what matters when selecting an external partner
• Select and assess vendors against your organisation’s specific needs
• Understand buyer and supplier priorities and build relationships that create value for both parties
• Anticipate changing requirements as your product progresses through its lifecycle
• Recognise dependencies that can affect flexibility, timelines and supply continuity
• Adapt your vendor strategy when developing or transitioning external partnerships

About the speaker:

Daniel Rasmussen brings more than 25 years of experience across the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, with particular expertise in CMC, MSAT, biologics development, external manufacturing, CDMO partnerships, technology transfer and operational excellence.

He has held leadership and senior operational roles across biotech, big pharma, startups, as well as CDMO environments, including Ichnos Sciences, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Bavarian Nordic, AGC Biologics and Novo Nordisk. His experience spans early- and late-stage programs and includes leading complex CMC development and manufacturing initiatives, establishing governance for outsourced supply chains, and managing strategic external partnerships.

Daniel combines deep technical and operational experience with a strong understanding of the strategic and organisational aspects of working with external partners, bringing a practical perspective to the decisions life sciences companies face when selecting, managing and developing these critical relationships.

Agenda

• 11:45–12:30 Doors open + networking

• 12:40–14:00 Presentation

• 14:00–14:30 Networking

PARKING NOTICE

Please note that no parking spots are reserved for Café+Croissant's participants at Campus Biotech. However, paid parking is available nearby at Parking Sécheron, depending on availability. We encourage you to come to Campus Biotech by public transport (Tram 15, stop: Maison de la Paix).