Q&A With Evan Rafanello

As pharmaceutical programs move faster and supply chains face greater scrutiny, development and manufacturing partners are under pressure to adapt. This Q&A offers a clear-eyed view of how compressed timelines, risk mitigation, and evolving sponsor expectations are reshaping decision-making across the industry.

Key themes include the growing importance of flexible manufacturing strategies, advanced oral solid dose technologies, and capacity planning rooted in closer sponsor collaboration. The conversation also surfaces common challenges that emerge as programs accelerate, from aligning CMC readiness with aggressive schedules to ensuring transparency during tech transfer. Looking ahead, the discussion turns to the expanding role of artificial intelligence — not as a buzzword, but as a practical tool for earlier project evaluation, smarter scheduling, and improved risk prediction.

Together, these perspectives provide timely insight into how development strategies are changing and what will define successful partnerships in the years ahead.