Contract manufacturing relationships (CMRs) have become an integral part of pharmaceutical supply chains. Solid regulation, technological complexity, and high investment pressure encourage collaboration between client companies and CMOs. Due to the high complexity of pharmaceutical value creation and high relevance for clients, CMRs always move in a field of tension between client control and trust-based self-governance. Against this background, the study investigates the success factors of excellent relationship management of pharmaceutical CMRs. A consortium of seven pharmaceutical companies representing the client and the CMO side is involved in the study to ensure the practicality of the results.

First, the study findings give insights into purposeful relationship development amid internal and external dynamics. Second, the study discusses current tailoring practices and provides a method-supported process for conducting meaningful partner differentiation. Third, the study addresses the need for partner alignment to achieve through the concept of the Relationship Gap to systematically include perceptions, business, and partner behavior expectations in relationship management.