The event is the industry's largest and more than 11,000 professionals from 49 states and 48 countries attended for three days of exhibits, conference sessions, keynote presentations, technical workshops and technology floor tours. Among the new offerings was a conference program re-engineered into five tracks that mirror how companies bring products to market and whose strategy further aligned the event's educational component with its traditionally strong exhibitor platform. According to Pharmaceutical Technology, the event's conference sessions and exhibits reflected “the new paradigm for pharmaceutical manufacturing: one based on deeper process knowledge and understanding using a science and risk-based approach to manufacturing that can meet the always foremost goal of product quality.”
"The feedback from those in our technical teams who attended the sessions is that the conference portion is really becoming stronger," said Holly Rackett, Manager, Global Marketing Events and Communications for Catalent Pharma Solutions. "The topics and the new approach are a definite benefit."
“This year's improved track-oriented approach and layout made it easier to plan and attend subject specific sessions relating to your area of interest," said Sandra Lueken, Director of Quality at Baxter. “In addition to its value to attendees, the new track strategy also makes INTERPHEX a professional-caliber conference for the speakers themselves, providing clear expectations and support to make preparation and presentation easier."
On the Show Floor, more than 650 suppliers and 1,000 product lines filled the Facilities, Manufacturing & Packaging, Automation: Systems & Controls and Sourcing & Services zones, and nearly 100 new products and services were announced.
“Some consider INTERPHEX something of a market indicator, and the activity we saw on the floor this year carried with it a feeling of economic optimism,” said Bob Stewart, INTERPHEX Industry Vice President. “We had seen this energy edging up in 2010, gaining speed in 2011, and you could feel it moving forward this year. People came prepared to meet and learn and do business.”
“This year's INTERPHEX gave us our best first day ever,” said Martin Hack, Vice President and General Manager of LB Bohle LLC. “We had good traffic, good quality of leads and there was a sense the economy is recovering.”
This was echoed by Sartorius, who felt that “This has been one of the best INTERPHEX shows we've had, and we've been coming for many years,” said Patricia Stancati, Director of Marketing Communications, Americas. “We had qualified traffic and a lot of it, which could be a reflection of the recovering economy. The IPS tours also resulted in worthwhile traffic with real interest.”
The return of the exhibit technology floor tours led by Integrated Project Services (IPS), offered attendees an opportunity to register for presentations in Oral Solid Dosage, Advanced Aseptic, and Biologics. These were followed by organized tours to relevant suppliers on the show floor, where their subject matter experts showcased state-of-the-art technologies and advancements in processing equipment.
“We saw solid prospects, including companies clearly on a sourcing mission whose people asked very specific questions,” said Brian Smith, Director, SKAN US Service. “And the fact that we were part of the IPS floor tours also brought us groups of people who were interested in what we do.”
“Those who came to see us during the floor tours included a number of international representatives, which is of value to us,” said Carsten Lau, Global Marketing Communications Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Overall, INTERPHEX 2012 brought us quality traffic, with good follow-up potential.”
Other highlights included the keynote presentations, featuring a return of PharmSource PresidentJim Miller on the new bio/pharma business model, Jeffrey Backer, Ph.D. of CDER, FDA on assuring a reliable drug supply and Richard Smith, Director of Life Sciences & Specialty Services at FedEx on international cold chain solutions.
Adding to the event was recognition of the eighth annual Facility of the Year Awards, sponsored in conjunction with INTERPHEX by event partner the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE) and Pharmaceutical Processing magazine, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star Award winners.
It was clear that INTERPHEX continues to be viewed by exhibitors as an opportunity to nurture existing relationships and develop new ones:
“Close relationships with our customers and collaborators are a vital element of GE Healthcare's success, and INTERPHEX is a key conference in our calendar,” said Catarina Flyborg, General Manager BioProcess Division, GE Healthcare Life Sciences. “It's a valuable opportunity to network and strengthen these relationships.”
“The show was very productive,” said Matthew Morganelli, Director of Sales for KORSCH America, Inc. “People came looking for us, and we met the people we wanted to see. INTERPHEX is important to us for being seen and for meeting the qualified decision makers with whom we'll develop effective relationships.”
“We never miss INTERPHEX here in New York,” said Gene Dul, President, Schreiner MediPharm. “Our company develops specialty labeling solutions for the pharmaceutical industry and for us, INTERPHEX provides the chance to attract relevant decision-makers and show our full range of products by demonstrating their diverse functionalities and benefits. It's truly invaluable.”
“We appreciate the efforts of the INTERPHEX 2012 Advisory Board , the senior-level speakers and others who chose to present, the many exhibitors and all of our partners,” said R.J. Palermo, Vice President of Strategic Accounts. “Their planning, participation and enthusiasm made this a remarkable event and their insights will be a strong asset as we gear up for next year.”
INTERPHEX 2012 was supported by a number of industry organizations and publications, including Corporate Partners Baxter, DSM, EMD Millipore and FedEx, Corporate Supporter Iron Mountain, and Industry Partners BioPharm International, BioProcess International, Contract Pharma, Life Science Leader, Pharmaceutical Online, Pharmaceutical Processing, Pharmaceutical Technology and The Gold Sheet.
Looking ahead, INTERPHEX Puerto Rico will run from October 4-5, 2012, with the INTERPHEX Medical Device, Buildings Puerto Rico, and Latin American Supply Chain events. Planning for INTERPHEX 2013, which will be held April 23-25 at the Javits Center, is also under way, with space reservations to date already running ahead of this time last year.