Interview Stephan Fritschi – CARBOGEN AMCIS CEO

You have been with CARBOGEN AMCIS for over 25 years and held several senior leadership roles, including Chief Alliance Officer, Deputy CEO, and Executive Vice President of Business Units. How have these experiences shaped your approach to leadership, and what excites you most about stepping into the CEO role?

Having been with CARBOGEN AMCIS for over 25 years and holding various leadership roles, I have gained a deep understanding of the company, its operations, and its customers. My previous positions have allowed me to be actively involved in different aspects of the business, from operations to strategic partnerships and customer relations. This broad exposure has given me valuable insights into how the organization functions, what drives our success, and what matters most to our clients.

My experience in operations, in particular, has been fundamental in shaping my leadership approach. Having worked closely with customers and managed complex projects, I understand the challenges our teams face and the expectations of our clients. This perspective helps me make informed decisions that balance operational efficiency with customer needs.

What excites me most about stepping into the CEO role is the opportunity to shape the company’s future. I can now drive initiatives that align with my vision, taking a fresh perspective on how we can continue to evolve and strengthen our position in the market. It is an exciting time to build on our strengths and explore new opportunities for growth.

As you take over as CEO from April 1st, what are your key priorities for CARBOGEN AMCIS in the short and long term? How do you see the company evolving under your leadership?

In the short term, my primary focus is to strengthen our market presence and attract new business across our three business units: Specialty Services, Drug Substance, and Drug Product. Ensuring that CARBOGEN AMCIS is positioned where our customers are, and that we fully understand their needs and market dynamics, is critical. Additionally, we are finalizing our digital transformation, including the implementation of a new SAP system, which will enhance efficiency and support our growth.

Looking further ahead, a key priority is deepening our collaboration with our parent company, Dishman Carbogen Amcis Limited (DCAL). This partnership will provide greater flexibility and expanded capacity, allowing us to offer customers more options in terms of cost efficiency, production capabilities, and supply chain optimization.

Another important aspect is adopting a proactive approach to lifecycle management. From the moment a process is established for commercial production, we will continuously work on optimizing the supply chain, leveraging DCAL’s resources to ensure long-term sustainability and efficiency. At the same time, CARBOGEN AMCIS will continue to rely on the deep expertise of our teams, whose skills and commitment remain at the heart of our success.

CARBOGEN AMCIS operates in a highly dynamic pharmaceutical and CDMO landscape. What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges ahead, and how do you plan to navigate them?

We continue to maintain our high-quality standards while focusing on our core expertise in small molecules. At the same time, we have great expectations for our Drug Product business, particularly with the recent expansion of our Saint-Beauzire site in France. This facility, which just received the GMP certification following a successful audit from the ANSM in January 2025, is now ramping up, featuring state-of-the-art equipment and full compliance with Annex 1 regulations. Client interest is strong, as we can now provide an integrated, end-to-end service; from non-GMP development and Highly Potent API production to Bioconjugation and Drug Product manufacturing. This one-stop-shop model presents a significant opportunity to strengthen our market position.

As for challenges, the current global uncertainty is leading to more cautious investment strategies, with investors seeking security and reliability before committing to projects. However, CARBOGEN AMCIS is well-positioned to navigate this by offering a secure and robust supply chain. We ensure that once an order is placed, our clients receive high-quality materials on time. Additionally, our flexibility allows us to adapt to customer needs by developing tailored business models that create value for both parties.

Collaboration and innovation have been central to CARBOGEN AMCIS’s success. How do you plan to build on these strengths and drive further growth across the company’s global network?

Collaboration has always been a key of CARBOGEN AMCIS’s success, both internally and with our clients. Strengthening internal collaboration across our eight sites around the globe is a key priority, as it enhances communication, boosts productivity, and facilitates seamless access to resources, both human and technological. By bringing teams together across sites and fostering cross-functional exchanges, we can maximize efficiency and innovation.

Externally, we will continue to deepen our partnerships with clients, elevating project management capabilities on a global scale. Additionally, we are committed to further harmonizing and streamlining our quality systems to ensure consistency across all sites, ultimately delivering even greater benefits to our customers.

On the innovation front, our dedicated internal innovation group is continuously exploring new technologies and approaches. This includes developing novel solutions for our Specialties Business Unit, such as new route scouting strategies. By reinforcing both collaboration and innovation, we will drive sustainable growth and maintain our competitive edge in an evolving market.

Having been part of CARBOGEN AMCIS for many years, what makes you most proud of the company?

What makes me most proud of CARBOGEN AMCIS is undoubtedly our people. The engagement, motivation, and commitment to high-quality standards, both in product quality and ethical practices, are exceptional. We strive to create a work environment where our employees enjoy coming to work and feel passionate about what they do. This is reflected in the emotional feedback we receive from those who leave the company, often for personal reasons. The strong attachment and dedication to the company are truly remarkable.

Another aspect that fills me with pride is our growth and internationalization. CARBOGEN AMCIS has become a truly global, intercultural company being present in 5 countries (Switzerland, UK, France, The Netherlands and China), and it is fascinating to see how diverse perspectives come together to drive success. We continue to stay ahead of industry standards, both in terms of infrastructure and innovation, giving our teams the freedom to operate and invent. This unique combination of growth, culture, and innovation is what makes me most proud of our company.

What message would you like to share with the teams across all sites, customers, and partners as you transition into this new role?

As I transition into the CEO role, I want to reassure our customers that CARBOGEN AMCIS remains the reliable partner they have come to know and trust. We are committed to strengthening our collaboration with clients, ensuring that we continue to deliver excellence and that everything stays on track.

Internally, it is important for everyone to understand that we are all working towards the same goal. Together, we will elevate the organization to the next level. Supporting one another is key to our success, and the concept of being “one family” remains a fundamental strength of our company, something I truly value and believe in.

Finally, I want to emphasize that our strategy remains unchanged. We are committed to continuing the vision set by our previous CEO, ensuring a seamless transition with no disruption in our course. The management team will remain in place, reinforcing the stability of CARBOGEN AMCIS as we pursue our goals.

I would also like to express my gratitude to our Parent Company for their ongoing trust and support as we move forward together with a shared vision and strategy.