How does Uquifa’s customer-centric approach drive growth and loyalty?

We are a B2B business, developing and manufacturing APIs and advanced intermediates, as a CDMO for our innovator customers. The customer is key for us and, we aim to follow them closely because a satisfied customer becomes the best ambassador. Our project management and transparent communication, we believe, makes the customer´s experience smooth. Our teams take pride in being nimble and being able to respond to projects’ needs in an agile manner. Our renewed focus on customer centricity is a reminder to everyone that we come to work each day because there is a customer behind it. Multi-year relationships with existing customers and the addition of new logos across both the CDMO and Off-Patent API segments demonstrate the value our enterprise is able to create for them. What is driving Uquifa’s push to expand its presence in the US?

The US has for many years been a key market for our products and service offering. We keep getting asked by newer customers regarding a potential outpost in the US for delivery of early chemistry capability. While we are a European manufacturer and service provider, we see a synergy in expanding our US presence, with some toolbox capability to complement the same. The US is already our largest market for the services and products we offer. We aim to establish early-stage synthesis or development capabilities there—fitting into our one-stop shop value chain which could eventually lead to large-scale production options for the project in Europe. How is supply chain resilience evolving in the current market?

Supply chain resilience remains critical. Even though we are beyond COVID the industry is still grappling with challenges, such as delayed shipments through the Red Sea. To secure reliable delivery, we have made strategic decisions like maintaining higher inventory levels and working with shipping companies that take alternative routes. We have also leaned on our partners, building a network of strategic vendors.

The preference for European manufacturers in the US has grown over the past 5–6 years, driven by COVID and the push for geopolitical risk mitigation. While customers will always demand competitiveness, chemistry expertise, manufacturing excellence, and compliance, the fact of being in Europe will remain an advantage. If you can tick those boxes, you have a strong chance of winning business. How is Uquifa driving innovation in small molecule development and manufacturing?

One of our key strengths lies in our extensive toolbox of chemistry for small molecule synthesis and development. We specialize in early-phase development, offering comprehensive end-to-end solutions in API development with unmatched flexibility and exceptional turnaround times. Our discovery chemistry team of highly skilled chemists offers extensive services, such as lead optimization, asymmetric synthesis and specialized chemistries.

In particular, our advanced particle sizing capabilities stand out as a significant asset. We offer a diverse range of particle sizing techniques, including lyophilization and milling, with a wide variety of state-of-the-art equipment. These techniques not only enhance the stability and bioavailability of drugs but also ensure optimal performance and product quality. We also focus on introducing proprietary expertise to the market, for the benefit of our customers and, will continue this over the next 2–3 years. How does Uquifa demonstrate its commitment to ESG principles?

In 2024, we were awarded an EcoVadis Silver Medal, improving our score by 10 points from the previous year. This places us among the top 15% of companies evaluated worldwide.

We are actively working to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Our facilities are committed to reducing waste generation, increasing recycling rates, and minimizing water consumption.

We foster a safe and inclusive workplace, ensuring rigorous health and safety standards, continuous employee training, and diversity and inclusion initiatives. Uquifa actively supports local community projects.

We uphold strict ethical guidelines, ensuring compliance with anti-corruption policies, fair labor practices, and responsible corporate governance. We work closely with our suppliers to ensure adherence to ESG criteria, promoting responsible sourcing and ethical business conduct throughout our value chain.

Furthermore, the group aligns its strategy with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reinforcing our commitment to global sustainability objectives. Our ongoing ESG efforts are not just about compliance but about creating a positive, lasting impact on the environment, society, and the industry.