Samsung Biologics' James Choi discusses the CDMO’s role in teaming up with Big Pharma to tackle sustainability in the biotech space.

This episode of the Voices of Biotech – brought to you by the BioProcess Insider Expression Platform – brings you an interesting conversation with Choi about the commitment to a “greener” supply chain.

In July 2023, CEOs from Roche, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk, Merck KGaA, Sanofi, and contract development manufacturing organization Samsung Biologics signed an open letter calling on suppliers to commit to climate and sustainability targets.

The healthcare industry contributes approximately 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, 50% of which comes from supply chains. The letter said called on biopharma collaborators to speedily move towards a “greener, more efficient, and circular” process. Additionally, it urged suppliers to sign-up to a joint minimum climate and sustainability targets, based around fundamental commitments laid out by the same seven firms ahead of COP27 in November 2022.

Choi, executive vice president, chief marketing officer, and head of sales support and global public affairs at Samsung Biologics, speaks about the CDMO’s involvement in teaming up with Big Pharma players to reach specific sustainability goals by 2025 and beyond. He talks about the important role a service provider plays in being more sustainable, Samsung Biologics’ own sustainability measures at the firm, and how the coalition came to fruition.

On top of being part of a coalition to advance sustainability in the sector, Choi also talks in depth about the buildout of its facilities and the measures they have put in place to ensure the next plant is “greener than the one before.”

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