From Ambition to Action: Building a Net Zero Future in Pharma Manufacturing
28 October 2025 | 14:35 CET
Sustainable Futures Theatre – Hall 4
As the pharmaceutical industry confronts the dual challenge of delivering health solutions while reducing its environmental footprint, the journey to net zero has become both a strategic imperative and a moral responsibility.
The challenges that pharma manufacturers, and in particular excipient manufacturers, face are multifaceted: driving sustainable transformation in manufacturing processes, balancing economic and environmental yields, and building roadmaps that bridge ambition with action—while also satisfying quality, regulatory, compliance, and customer needs.
In this plenary session, we will explore how Lonza CHI's capsule manufacturing has turned sustainable manufacturing from a cost driver into a customer value add, translating climate ambition into operational reality—through smart investments, structured roadmaps, and a deeply embedded culture of sustainability. We will draw from real-world examples of CHI’s capsule manufacturing transformation and provide a structured approach to building credible roadmaps that drive measurable results and help eco-design future formulations.
Speaker: Sofia Sotiropoulou, PhD.
Sofia is the Senior Director of Sustainability and Climate Innovation at Lonza Capsules & Health Ingredients (CHI). Since joining in December 2024, Sofia has been instrumental in driving the CHI’s sustainability and climate innovation strategic roadmap. Sofia has over 15 years of experience in R&D and strategic innovation, having led the successful launch of more than 20 products in FMCG & Chemical industry. In the last years, she has focused on sustainability as a key strategic initiative to drive customer value and transform organizations.
Challenges to the Sustained Availability of Excipients
29 October 2025 | 11:35 CET
Future of Pharma & Ingredients Theatre – Hall 12.1 - 12.1C68
Ensuring the sustained availability of excipients is becoming increasingly complex due to evolving regulations, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the pressing demand for sustainable solutions. This panel will explore critical challenges and opportunities for securing the long-term availability of excipients across industries.
Key discussion points include:
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How shifting legislation, particularly in other sectors, is limiting excipient options—such as restrictions on recycled plastics for food-grade applications.
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The growing need for novel excipients to meet evolving industry requirements while maintaining safety and efficacy.
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Best practices for fortifying supply chains against disruptions and ensuring consistent availability.
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Exploring how green practices can be effectively incorporated into excipient production and supply, balancing innovation with environmental responsibility.
Panelist: Bram Baert, PhD.
Bram Baert holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Ghent University, where he focused on regulatory compliance through his work at the Drug Quality & Registration laboratory. This laid the foundation for his career in the field, which began at Pfizer Manufacturing Belgium. Over the course of five years, he took on various responsibilities, including monitoring product quality, managing regulatory documentation, overseeing inspections, and ensuring compliance with health authority requirements.
Nearly 10 years ago, Bram joined Lonza, where he currently serves as the Global Regulatory Head of the Capsules & Health Ingredients division. In this role, he oversees regulatory affairs on a global scale, driving strategy and compliance across multiple regions.
Outside of his role at Lonza Capsules & Health Ingredients, Bram is an active member of the IPEC Europe quality and regulatory affairs team. He participates in a number of working groups and is involved in the IQ/IPEC Collaboration Group, contributing his expertise to ongoing industry initiative
From Molecule to Market: Scalable Enteric Solutions for Accelerated Clinical and Commercial Success
29 October 2025 | 14:00 CET
Future of Pharma & Ingredients Theatre – Hall 12.1
As the pharmaceutical industry advances toward more targeted, patient-centric therapies, the need for delivery technologies that bypass the stomach has become critical. Lonza’s Capsugel® Enprotect® capsule represents a breakthrough in enteric technology—offering a bi-layered, ready-to-use solution that protects acid-sensitive APIs without the need for subsequent coating or additional unit operations. This innovation accelerates development timelines and enhances formulation flexibility across a range of modalities, including small molecules, peptides, and live biotherapeutic products. Coupled with Lonza’s Innovaform® Accelerator, Enprotect® capsules can be fully customized to meet molecule and brand requirements, ensuring compatibility and optimized release profiles.
This session will explore how Lonza’s products and services enable accelerated, tailored development of oral solid dosage forms, including a full-service pathway from concept-to-patient through Lonza’s cGMP clinical and commercial manufacturing capabilities. Discover how Lonza is redefining what’s possible in oral drug delivery—offering not just a capsule, but a complete solution.
Speaker: Frank Romanski, PhD.
Dr. Frank Romanski is Vice President, Strategic Growth and Revenue Management at Lonza Capsules & Health Ingredients and part of the company’s global leadership team. With a background that bridges science and business, Frank has spent his career turning innovation into real-world impact. He brings deep experience across R&D, marketing, product management, and global strategy, and previously held leadership roles at BASF in both the U.S. and Germany. Frank earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Rutgers University and is passionate about using science to drive sustainable growth in the life sciences industries.