Vertex On Building Risk Into Manufacturing Network Strategy

By Dora Wells, Editor of PharmaSource and Conference Produce

Manufacturing network resilience has become a critical capability as biopharma companies navigate an increasingly unpredictable risk landscape. Cyberattacks, supplier disruptions, system outages, and geopolitical pressures can all threaten supply continuity, making resilience a strategic consideration rather than a contingency exercise.

Drawing on Vertex Pharmaceuticals' experience across small molecules, biologics, and cell and gene therapies, Alfredo Vidal and Abhi Naravane explore how risk management can be embedded into manufacturing network design from the outset. Their approach combines cross-functional governance, data-driven decision-making, supplier risk assessment, and continuity planning to strengthen preparedness while supporting growth. Key considerations include managing supplier concentration, reducing single-source dependencies, establishing meaningful resilience metrics, and aligning external manufacturing strategies with broader business continuity objectives.

For supply chain and external manufacturing leaders, the focus shifts from responding to disruptions to building networks capable of withstanding them, protecting both operational performance and long-term supply security.