Greeting of the JAPAN CDMO Association (JCDMOA)

For stable supply of pharmaceutical products and enhancing global competitiveness of pharmaceutical production

Amendment of Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in 2005 triggered development of CMO (Contract Manufacturing Organization) which enabled full scale outsourcing of pharmaceutical production. At the same time, pharmaceutical industry in Japan faced an era of selection and concentration, pharmaceutical companies focused its management resources to research and development of innovative drugs, especially bio and antibody drugs. Not only CMO undertook manufacturing, but became the pillar of stable supply and manufacturing technology in domestic pharmaceutical products, incorporating “D” as in Development and represent as ” CDMO”.

Based on such landscape, JCDMOA was founded in November 2010 with 18 voluntary companies under principle of “Wholesome development of CMO industry will lead to stable supply of domestic pharmaceutical products and enhance global competitiveness of pharmaceutical manufacturing.”

Since then, based on committee activities of forefront member companies, we have been upgrading and promoting the industry level to be able to provide further satisfying service, such as human resource development, quality improvement, technical improvement, to our clients and for prosperous coexistence.

As a result, as of June 2025 member companies has expanded to 78 companies, regular members: 33, associate members: 3 and supporting members: 42. Regular members are companies which its business is mainly contract manufacturing, and supporting members are companies which provide technology and information such as manufacturing facilities, resources, engineering, ICT, etc. that are crucial to manufacture pharmaceutical products. JAPAN CDMO Association has grown to be the foundation that members involved in different field of pharmaceutical production work together to realize the policy. The association has received many passion, efforts, and understanding along the way. My sincere gratitude to all your services.

Amendment of Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in 2005 triggered development of CMO (Contract Manufacturing Organization) which enabled full scale outsourcing of pharmaceutical production. At the same time, pharmaceutical industry in Japan faced an era of selection and concentration, pharmaceutical companies focused its management resources to research and development of innovative drugs, especially bio and antibody drugs. Not only CMO undertook manufacturing, but became the pillar of stable supply and manufacturing technology in domestic pharmaceutical products, incorporating “D” as in Development and represent as ” CDMO”.

Based on such landscape, JCMOA was founded in November 2010 with 18 voluntary companies under principle of “Wholesome development of CMO industry will lead to stable supply of domestic pharmaceutical products and enhance global competitiveness of pharmaceutical manufacturing.”

Furthermore, against the backdrop of the increasing sophistication and speed of drug development, the expansion of biopharmaceuticals, and the complexity of manufacturing processes, the importance of CDMOs (contract drug development and manufacturing organizations) that consistently support from the development stage to manufacturing is increasing, and it is determined that it is optimal to change the name to more accurately indicate the functions and social roles of member companies. In May 2026, the name was changed to the CDMO Association of Japan.

Since then, based on committee activities of forefront member companies, we have been upgrading and promoting the industry level to be able to provide further satisfying service, such as human resource development, quality improvement, technical improvement, to our clients and for prosperous coexistence.

As a result, as of April 2026 member companies has expanded to 87 companies, regular members: 34, associate members: 3 and supporting members: 50. Regular members are companies which its business is mainly contract manufacturing, and supporting members are companies which provide technology and information such as manufacturing facilities, resources, engineering, ICT, etc. that are crucial to manufacture pharmaceutical products. Japan CMO Association has grown to be the foundation that members involved in different field of pharmaceutical production work together to realize the policy. The association has received many passion, efforts, and understanding along the way. My sincere gratitude to all your services.

Due to the recent rise in international tensions, establishing stable supply chain under any situation is critical national agenda, the role of CDMO industry becoming more significant. Therefore, JAPAN CDMO Association will further strengthen its activities to improve the industry.

Above all is to strengthen its foundation. We will furthermore enhance committee activities: technology/talent development committee, quality assurance committee, policy committee, and public relations committee, to provide higher satisfying service to clients that are core of the supply chain.

Last of all, is to extend into unexploited field and technologies. We would like to organize platform that provides advance service, such as novel modality (for example, anticancer agents, vaccines, and antibody medicines), continuous production of solid formulation, and overseas expansion etc. However, it takes a lot of investment (man and machines) to organize the platform. Through collecting information from Japanese authorities, PBOA (Pharma & BioPharma Outsourcing Association) in US, one of our friendship association, and our clients, and also promoting workshops within our association, we will support member companies willing to join and create environment for companies advanced in those areas but not yet joined our CDMO association.

Domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing is consisted of new drug manufacturer, generic drug manufacturer, OTC drug manufacturer, and CMO, each playing its role cooperating for stable supply. JCMOA takes part in development of pharmaceutical industry through prosperous coexistence of member companies and clients and also contributes to health and safety of the nation and vitalization of Japanese economy.

May, 2026