Life Science Connect announced that it has acquired PharmaSource and CDMO Live, two brands serving the biopharma outsourcing sector. PharmaSource and CDMO Live were part of Life Science Networks.
Life Science Connect is a U.S.-based life sciences media business and a portfolio company of Latticework Capital Management and Edgehill Management.
The acquisition brings together PharmaSource, CDMO Live Europe, CDMO Live Americas, and External Manufacturing Leaders with Life Science Connect’s existing media platforms.
Life Science Connect’s platforms include Outsourced Pharma and the CDMO Leadership Awards.
The company said the combination will create a leading biopharma outsourcing platform focused on content, events, digital media, executive communities, and supplier connections.
The acquired brands will form a new events division within Life Science Connect.
Life Science Networks was founded in 2023 by media and events entrepreneurs Luke Bilton and Chris Kilbee.
The founders identified a market need for content and events focused on biopharma outsourced manufacturing following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since then, the company built a portfolio of partnering events, digital media, and executive communities reaching 50,000 industry professionals.
CDMO Live was recently recognized as “Best Event Launch” at the Association of Event Organizers Awards in London.
The event was recognized for its buyer-focused model, curated engagement, and community foundations.
Life Science Connect said the acquired portfolio’s growth will be supported by investment and the company’s AI-enabled technology platform.
The platform is designed to connect biopharma professionals with the information and suppliers they need to advance drug development, manufacturing, and commercialization.
Bilton and Kilbee will continue in their roles and lead the new events division as Senior Vice Presidents alongside Life Science Connect’s existing team.
CDMO Live Americas 2026 is scheduled for October 20-21, 2026, in Boston. CDMO Live Europe is scheduled for May 26-27, 2027, in Rotterdam.
PharmaSource provides news, podcasts, and best-practice insights for outsourcing and buyer decision-makers in biopharma.
KEY QUOTES:
“To build and grow our events division, our approach is to start with great people, entrepreneurs with a vision of how to provide specific audiences with actionable content and connections to others in the community who can help them. Chris, Luke and their team represent that approach and we are excited to see what they will build.”
Jon Howland, CEO of Life Science Connect
“Over the last three years we’ve created brands we’re incredibly proud of, with a team that’s been instrumental in making it happen. Life Science Connect shares our vision for building a pharma events business that connects this remarkable sector with exceptional networking, content and experiences, and joining forces helps us get there much faster. What we can build together by combining our strengths is genuinely exciting.”
Luke Bilton and Chris Kilbee, Co-Founders of Life Science Networks
