Capability
Fill-Finish CDMOs
Compare CDMOs with sterile fill-finish capabilities for vials, pre-filled syringes, and cartridges. Filter by container type, batch size, and regulatory approvals.
331 companies listed
Fill-finish is the last step, and it's where programs die. Filling a sterile drug into its final vial, syringe, or cartridge under aseptic conditions is the most capacity-constrained stage in the industry, and a single contamination event can scrap a batch worth millions. So the diligence here is different. Don't start with price. Start with the contamination control strategy: closed isolators give better sterility assurance than RABS or conventional cleanrooms, and regulators now expect the harder standard for new lines. Ask for the media fill record (FDA wants three consecutive successful process simulations before commercial filling) and the environmental monitoring trend, not a summary slide. Then match your container to demonstrated experience. Vial filling is widely available; pre-filled syringes and cartridges are specialized and scarce. Expect a waitlist. 331 CDMOs here list fill-finish capabilities. Compare them on isolation technology, container format, and lead time.
About Fill-Finish Manufacturing
Fill-finish is the final manufacturing step where drug substance is filled into its primary container (vials, pre-filled syringes, cartridges, ampoules) under aseptic conditions. It is consistently one of the most capacity-constrained steps in pharmaceutical manufacturing. A single contamination event can destroy an entire batch worth millions.
Technology matters. Modern isolator-based filling lines offer superior sterility assurance compared to conventional cleanrooms with RABS (Restricted Access Barrier Systems). Ask CDMOs about their contamination control strategy: isolator vs RABS, environmental monitoring frequency, and media fill success rates. A CDMO running 3 consecutive successful media fills demonstrates validated aseptic process capability.
What container types does your product need? Vial filling is the most common and widely available. Pre-filled syringe filling requires specialized equipment (nest/tub handling, staking, plunger insertion) and is capacity-constrained globally. Cartridge filling for auto-injector devices adds further complexity. Match your primary container to a CDMO with demonstrated experience in that format.
Companies (331)
Vetter Pharma
Germany
Vetter Pharma is a leading global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization specializing in aseptic fill-and-finish services for injectable drug products. Headquartered in Ravensburg, Germany, Vetter operates as an independent, family-owned business with over 75 years of experience.
Biologics Drug ProductFill/Finish (Vials)Fill/Finish (Syringes)
AB Biotechnology Ltd
United Kingdom
AB Biotechnology Ltd is a UK-based biologics CDMO located at Pentlands Science Park near Edinburgh. They specialize in development and GMP manufacturing of high-purity biopharmaceutical products including proteins, peptides, and polyclonal antibodies. Their MHRA-licensed facility includes cleanroom suites for purification, viral inactivation/reduction, fill/finish, and lyophilization for injectables.
Biologics Drug SubstanceBiologics Drug ProductFill/Finish (Vials)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is fill-finish manufacturing?+
Fill-finish is the process of filling a drug product into its final container (vial, syringe, cartridge) and sealing it under sterile conditions. The process includes formulation/compounding, sterile filtration, aseptic filling, stoppering/sealing, visual inspection, labeling, and packaging. For injectable drugs, this entire process must occur in classified cleanroom environments to prevent contamination.
Why is fill-finish capacity so constrained?+
Three factors drive the shortage. First, the capital cost of building and validating a new aseptic filling line is $50-150 million. Second, regulatory validation takes 12-18 months before commercial production can begin. Third, the COVID-19 pandemic permanently increased demand for injectable manufacturing capacity (vaccines, monoclonal antibodies). Many CDMOs have multi-year waitlists for new client programs.
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