From gene to vial and from clinic to market

“Rentschler Biopharma develops and manufactures products exclusively on behalf of its customers and is among the five largest contract development manufacturing organizations (CDMO),” explains CEO Dr. Frank Mathias. “Thanks to our huge number of competent employees with impeccable credentials in biotechnology who are passionate about their work, we find solutions where others don’t even look.”

Rentschler Biopharma is a renowned specialist: It collaborates with its clients as their solution partner and provides flexible service. “Rentschler Biopharma is one of the very few firms to genuinely focus on developing and manufacturing biopharmaceuticals exclusively for customers,” underlines Senior Vice President for Business Development Federico Pollano. “We do not create internal competition. Instead we consider our customers to be partners because of the close cooperation that is necessary.”

This is not Rentschler Biopharma’s only competitive advantage. “Our dedicated staff do not fear complexity and continue working where others would perhaps give up,” says COO Dr. Ralf Otto. “We have significant experience, and have processed more than 250 projects worldwide.”

Rentschler Biopharma offers an end-to-end service, covering the whole value chain from gene to vial; from clinic to market. The Rentschler family remains involved in the company. Prof. Dr. Nikolaus F. Rentschler is Chairman of the Supervisory Board, which means that decisions can be made quickly, efficiently and, most importantly, based on a long-term perspective.

The pharmaceutical industry is still pursuing solutions for many diseases. “There is always scope to understand the causes of diseases better and thus offer very specific solutions,” explains Dr. Otto. “Complex molecules can specifically intervene in certain biochemical processes in the body. These are like adapted an tibodies, so they are much more specific than chemical molecules. In trials, between one in seven and one in ten biopharmaceuticals are successful, whereas only one in 20 chemical pharma products are approved.”

Rentschler Biopharma is located in Laupheim, where it employs around 800 staff and undertakes both production and fill & finish. However, changes are ahead: The company is preparing to move its fill & finish activities to the new state-of-the-art plant of Rentschler Fill Solutions in Rankweil, Austria.

“In recent years, we have focused primarily on product development and production, and clinical trials. Since this has been very successful, we are now looking at other activities,” says Dr. Mathias. “We grow with our customers. Because we offer tailored solutions, up to 3,000 l bioreactors, we are well positioned to cover the area of rare diseases, where focused batches are needed.” Federico Pollano adds, “Personalized medicine is the current market trend. In this segment, we are incredibly innovative.”

Rentschler Biopharma is still growing fast, well above the general market rate. “This is because our customers are satisfied with our service and continue to come back to us,” Dr. Mathias points out. Nevertheless, the company has a strategy in place to ensure its incredible growth trajectory is sustained.

“We have implemented Strategy 2025,” reveals Dr. Mathias. “The company is, without a doubt, currently very successful, but we want to ensure long-term competitiveness. Of course, we first had to think about what the world will look like in 2025. We have intensely discussed many different parties, internally and externally, and our vision is based on this research: a worldwide operating, independent family-owned firm with flexible end to end solutions typically exceeding our clients’ expectations by working in close partnerships and being open for new business models.” Dr. Otto sums up, “We have been around for 100 years, and we will be here for at least another 100.”