CPhI Worldwide has announced that its in-person event will now be taking place in 2021, and that it will be launching a new digital exhibition for 2020.

The major pharma live event, organised by Informa Markets, was due to take place from 13-15 October but has been cancelled for 2020. With delegates' countries and locations at different stages of recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, and with international travel only returning gradually, organisers decided it would be too difficult to "ensure the same level of participation and high-quality, in-person experience" for attendees this year. 

For 2020, Informa Markets will be launching the CPhI Festival of Pharma, a 10-day, digital gathering for the global pharmaceutical industry. The online event will include a range of platforms and experiences, including an interactive digital marketplace for sourcing products and services, enhanced matchmaking for connecting and speakers on the latest innovation and industry developments.

Group director of Pharma for Informa Markets, Adam Andersen, said: “We have been working hard to make CPhI Worldwide in Milan a reality in 2020 but, with international travel only returning gradually post Covid-19, at present it is difficult to guarantee the usual quality of experience at what is a truly global event. Recognising the importance of the event to the industry, we have agreed with our key partners and stakeholders to adapt to a digital format in 2020, launching the CPhI Festival of Pharma. This large-scale digital exhibition will mirror on-site offerings and provide our community with a powerful platform to access vital one-to-one client meetings and high-quality leads, which are critically important in these challenging times.

“The pharma community is a highly resilient and innovation-driven industry, underpinned by global partnerships and international supply chains. Many of our customers are part of the solution to the Covid-19 pandemic and we feel compelled to support these efforts, providing new and alternative ways to foster connections, discover new partners and help lead the global response and recovery."