EVENTS
CPHI comes back to Milan
The world’ s largest event in the pharmaceutical space returns returns this October
CPHI, by far the largest annual event in the pharmaceutical industry, takes place on 6-8 October this year at Fiera Milano Rho in Milan. The 2025 show attracted over 59,000 attendees and 2,900 + exhibitors, and 2026 should be no less busy. A full list of exhibitors and a floor plan are on the dedicated website. They are grouped for ease of access into zones, including, moving west from the East Gate:
• Excipients & Fine Chemicals( Hall 1)
• APIs( Halls 2-4)
• Natural Extracts( Hall 3)
• Contract Manufacturing( Halls 5-10 & 12)
• Integrated Pharma( Hall 7)
• Machinery( Hall 9)
• Packaging( Hall 11)
• Bioproduction( Hall 12)
• Finished Dosage Forms( Halls 14, 16, 18 & 20)
This year also sees the launch of four new zones. The organiser, Informa said that this“ reflects CPHI ' s broader strategy to expand pharma ' s innovation ecosystem by attracting industries that may not traditionally consider themselves part of the pharmaceutical value chain, but whose technologies and capabilities are critical to the sector ' s future”. They are:
• AI & Tech( Hall 8), showcasing software, digital infrastructure and intelligent technologies driving smarter pharmaceutical operations
• Cold Chain & Logistics( Hall 6), which bring together providers of temperature-controlled packaging, real-time monitoring technologies, storage, transportation services and supply chain orchestration platforms
• Labelling( Hall 11), covering serialisation, track-and-trace technologies, smart packaging, e-labelling, RFID systems and materials for compliance, traceability, anti-counterfeiting and patient engagement
• Contamination Control( Hall 9), a dedicated platform for suppliers supporting sterile manufacturing, cleanroom operations and contamination risk management
There are different pass options that you choose when you register as a visitor on the website, all of which give access to online and in-person events:
• Standard(€ 329)
• Explorer(€ 499), with early entry, access to the Match & Meet Lounge access, and a three-day public transport pass.
• Leader(€ 799), with additional access to fast-track entry and the Leader Lounge, a welcome gift and the Leaders’ Summit
• Networking Leader(€ 3,599), with additional access to networking via a concierge service, to reserve premium hotels near the venue and facilitated connections
CPHI Milan opens to exhibitors at 08.00 each day, to Leader and Networking Leader pass holders at 08.30, to Explorer pass holders at 9.00 and to Standard pass holders at 10.00. The exhibits are then open until 18.30 on the first two days and 16.00 on the third.
Alongside all this will be the usual raft of free-to-attend conference content
in multiple theatres on the show floor, featuring over 260 speakers. You can view the full programme and register to visit at www. cphi. com The stage numbers and themes are:
• Supply & Formulation Excellence( 2A132)
• Global Pharma Outlook( 7H81)
• AI & Tech( 8F56)
• Manufacturing 5.0( 10K69)
• Packaging & Device Innovation( 11A49)
• Next-Gen Bio( 12F49)
Tara Dougal, event director at Informa Markets, said:“ The pharmaceutical industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, from advances in AI and next-generation therapies to changing manufacturing strategies, regulatory expectations and sustainability commitments. This year’ s conference programme has been designed to bring together the people leading those conversations.”
New for 2026, the CPHI Sustainability Summit will take place on 5 and 6 October at the Stella Polare Auditorium. This will feature more than 20 content sessions and over ten roundtables, working groups and interactive discussions. It is charged at € 1,199 or € 1,499 with a Leader pass added on.
Key topics will include sustainable manufacturing, supply chain decarbonisation, green chemistry, regulatory developments and strategies for embedding sustainability into business operations. To register or learn more go to: www. cphi. com / europe / sustainability-summit
The CPHI Pharma Awards take place on the evening of 6 October and tickets are available once you have registered to attend. There are also multiple other networking events before and during the show, which are listed at: www. cphi. com
88 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981