How many individual pieces come together to form one shared picture. That is what we experienced during our team outing.

At a painting studio in Basel, we tried our hand at Puzzle Painting: each person painted their own section of a Kandinsky art piece. On its own, each piece was difficult to interpret; only when brought together did the full picture become visible. Two paintings were created: one for our office in Munich and one for Lörrach.

We also incorporated small symbols representing our six company values into each painting. A fitting metaphor for how every individual contribution matters and how its full impact only unfolds through collaboration.

After lunch together, we enjoyed a guided tour of Rötteln Castle in glorious weather.

Thank you to paintiteasy.ch for the creative inspiration.

As part of regular internal workshops, we engage with our six company values: professionalism, cooperation, responsibility, trust, respect and appreciation. The central question is what these values mean for our day-to-day collaboration - both within teams across different sites and in our work with customers.

During these workshops, it became clear that the topic of failure culture is particularly closely linked to all six values.

This topic has significant practical relevance, especially in the GMP and GDP environment. Work in this area is shaped by regulatory requirements, defined standards and established processes. Deviations can have an impact on product quality, patient safety and the company’s reputation. It is therefore essential to prevent errors as far as possible while also ensuring that they are handled professionally.

Since human work cannot be made completely error-free, even in well-organised systems, the way errors are dealt with is just as important as prevention.

At PharmaKorell, clear processes, clearly defined responsibilities, well-organised quality management and a culture of trust all play an important role in preventing errors.

A resilient failure culture begins where errors occur despite preventive measures. For PharmaKorell, a good failure culture therefore means using errors as a starting point for learning and improvement. This requires the ability to speak about errors openly, objectively, solution-orientatedly and on an equal footing. In this context, both the factual level and the relationship level of communication are relevant.

To address this connection systematically, two consecutive workshops were held, prepared by Dr Cora Büttner together with an external company. While the first workshop was moderated externally, Cora actively contributed to the facilitation of the second workshop as co-moderator.

First workshop

During the first workshop in 2025, the three most common everyday errors were collected from all working areas at PharmaKorell. These errors were then assigned to categories and assessed using the risk classes anchored in the quality system. The assessment took into account both the severity of the impact and the frequency of occurrence.

After the workshop, it was reviewed whether additional error-prevention measures should be established for the top three errors identified in each area. This approach was deliberately based on the structured handling of errors as embedded in the GMP system.

Another key focus of the first workshop was communication about errors. It is precisely in this context that it becomes clear that factual analysis and interpersonal interaction cannot be considered separately.

Second workshop

Recently, the topic was explored in greater depth in a second workshop. The focus was broadened from communication about errors to respectful communication in challenging situations. Particular emphasis was placed on clarity, self-regulation and mutual respect.

The workshop built on the four sides of a message according to Friedemann Schulz von Thun, which had already been addressed previously. Schulz von Thun is a German communication psychologist who developed a communication model according to which every message contains several levels: factual content, self-revelation, relationship and appeal.

Communication on an equal footing means that conversation partners treat one another with the same level of respect and regard each other as equal, irrespective of role or situation. This is particularly relevant when dealing with errors, as factual clarification is most successful when communication is not dominated by superiority or subordination.

Transfer into everyday working life

A central topic of the workshop was how the content developed could be transferred into practice and how the company’s own communication in critical situations, as well as its failure culture, could be further developed.

At the end of the workshop, each team member formulated a personal future contribution to successful communication as part of a gallery walk.

In addition, it is planned to use the “Highlights” session in regular jour fixe meetings to exchange experiences and discuss improvements that have arisen from errors. Mutual feedback on one’s own communication style is also expressly welcome.

At this year’s Swiss Biotech Day in Basel, PharmaKorell was represented by Dr Konrad Dreizler.

In addition to the General Assembly of the Swiss Biotech Association, where Konrad participated and voted on behalf of PharmaKorell, the main focus was on scientific exchange, market discussions and new contacts.

A particularly interesting aspect was the broad landscape of young biotech companies: many are still in the preclinical phase and are preparing the transition into clinical development. This is precisely the stage at which key questions often arise around GMP structures, regulatory requirements, Qualified Persons and the practical organisation of clinical trial processes.

Konrad exchanged many business cards on site, attended several presentations and systematically engaged in discussions with biotech companies, testing laboratories and CMOs. These conversations once again highlighted how important robust partner structures become once projects move from early research into clinical application.

One special programme highlight was the presentation by FoRx Therapeutics, one of our clients. FoRx is working on precision oncology therapies in the field of DNA replication stress and presented current developments and perspectives at Swiss Biotech Day.

The international nature of the event was also clearly evident, including through delegations from various countries. Particularly interesting was the perspective on innovative countries further afield, such as Australia, and the question of which requirements and support structures are relevant there for export, clinical development and approval.

We return from Basel with valuable technical insights, new contacts and a clearer understanding of the current needs of the biotech community.

Many thanks to the Swiss Biotech Association for organising the event, and to all those who contributed to the open and constructive exchange.

A heartfelt thank you to Normec Synergy Health, to Making Pharmaceuticals, and to everyone we had the pleasure of meeting during the event.

Our time at the stand was well invested, with a steady flow of valuable conversations across both days. It was also encouraging to see that the exhibition has grown compared with last year and is set to expand further. The next edition will take place in Birmingham.

One of the real highlights was seeing, through conversations with prospective clients, just how well the services of Normec Synergy Health and PharmaKorell complement one another. In several discussions, we were able to present a joint service offering for clients operating in a complex regulatory and operational environment.

While PharmaKorell is currently moving from blue to orange as part of its rebranding within the Normec Group, our focus at Making Pharmaceuticals was on the strong service synergies we can already offer together today.

In 2026, PharmaKorell was once again recognised by kununu. In addition to its repeated recognition as a Top Company, the company received two further distinctions this year: the Top Rated seal for Salary Satisfaction for the second year in a row, and the Top Rated seal for Family Friendliness for the first time. All kununu seals are based on authentic employee reviews and are awarded to only around 3% of employers on kununu in each category. Particularly encouraging is the fact that this recognition is also reflected in the detailed ratings: 94% of employees are satisfied with their salary, and PharmaKorell achieved 4.4 out of 5 points in the category Salary & Benefits.

The broader picture of PharmaKorell’s employer rating is equally strong. Since 2023, the company has been rated by 16 employees, achieving an average score of 4.5 out of 5. This places PharmaKorell well above the industry average in consulting, which stands at 3.9 points. Particularly strong results were achieved in the categories Diversity with 4.8 points, as well as Career & Salary and Company Culture, each with 4.5 points. The working environment was also rated very positively, with 4.4 points.

From a company perspective, these results are especially valuable because they reflect several important aspects of day-to-day working life at once. They show that employees experience PharmaKorell not only as a professionally demanding environment, but also as an employer where appreciation, development opportunities and a supportive working culture are genuinely felt in everyday practice. In a specialised setting such as the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, this is an important factor in attracting and retaining qualified professionals over the long term.

The fact that PharmaKorell has received repeated recognition over several years gives these results additional significance. A consistently positive employer perception is not created through isolated measures, but through structures and behaviours that prove their value in everyday working life. The current awards and rating figures make exactly that visible.

PharmaKorell would like to thank all employees whose feedback has contributed to this development. Such feedback is not only a valuable affirmation, but also an important impetus for the continued development of the company’s culture.

Dr Ulrich Korell, Managing Director and Founder of PharmaKorell, will be representing our company at this year’s Making Pharmaceuticals exhibition in Coventry. Having attended the event as visitors last year, we have decided to exhibit with our own stand this year. You will find us at Stand 306, together with our Normec sister company, Synergy Health.

A particular focus of our presence at this year’s trade fair is artificial intelligence in the pharmaceutical industry. We are particularly interested in the following programme items:

21 April 2026, 12:45 AI in Pharma: Navigating Innovation and Regulation Together
Moderated by Dr Andrew King, with Kevin Bailey (MHRA), Adam McLennan (AstraZeneca), and Martin Lush (Martin Lush Consulting / HelpmeGMP)

21 April 2026, 15:30 ISPE Panel Discussion: ISPE COP Updates (Pharma 4.0, GAMP & CQV): Industry Hot Topics and Trends Discussion
With Nicholas Kesterton, Mohammed Ahmed, Dr Siegfried Schmitt, Karolina Woodford and ISPE

22 April 2026, 09:15 AI for the WDA(H): Strengthening GDP Compliance and Operational Efficiency
With Lori Laing, Reckitt

For UK pharmaceutical manufacturers, we manage the import of medicinal products into the EU as well as EU QP certification for commercial supply or clinical trials. Where required, we also support with customs clearance and distribution. In this way, the EU external border no longer needs to be a competitive disadvantage for British manufacturers.

We look forward to valuable discussions and expert exchange in Coventry.

Meet Normec Synergy Health and PharmaKorell GmbH at Stand 306 at Making Pharmaceuticals in Coventry on 21–22 April 2026 - two specialised companies within the Normec Group. Our Managing Director and founder, Dr. Ulrich Korell, looks forward to meeting you in person.

As a German pharmaceutical consulting company, we have supported more than 200 pharmaceutical and biotech companies worldwide since 2007, across over 30 countries, with a team of more than 25 professionals.

For UK pharmaceutical manufacturers, we manage the import of UK medicinal products into the EU and provide EU QP certification for commercial supply or clinical trials. If required, we can also take care of customs clearance and distribution. This means the EU’s external border no longer has to be a competitive disadvantage for UK manufacturers.

To arrange a meeting, please message us on email at info@pharmakorell.com.

Dr Stefanie Schmidt has been part of PharmaKorell since December 2025 and strengthens our team in Munich as a Senior Consultant. With experience spanning academic research, community pharmacy, industrial pharmaceutical manufacturing, and leadership roles in the quality function of a CDMO, she brings a broad range of perspectives - combining scientific depth with the pragmatism of day-to-day GMP work.

To get to know her and the way she works, we asked Dr Schmidt a few questions: What genuinely helps when making decisions under pressure? Which process improvement is often underestimated, even though it almost always delivers? And which principles, as a QP, remain non-negotiable - even in capacity crunch situations?

Your career path spans academic research, community pharmacy, industrial pharmaceutical manufacturing, and leadership responsibilities in the quality function of a contract manufacturer (CDMO) - and now consulting. How has this breadth shaped your approach to risk assessment and decision-making under pressure?

The variety of perspectives and experiences helps me prioritise flexibly depending on the situation. In some moments, strict compliance with the rules is what matters most; in others, it is a very practical understanding of processes and their limits. Especially in a GMP environment, you quickly see how important it is to bring theory and reality together and to interpret grey areas correctly.

The combination of a scientific background, operational experience, and regulatory understanding now helps me assess risks holistically and make pragmatic decisions that are still technically sound.

Which system or process improvement almost always leads to better outcomes, yet is still frequently underestimated?

One often underestimated but highly effective improvement is the systematic involvement of the employees who work with the processes every day. They know bottlenecks, workarounds, and opportunities and they often provide the quickest “quick wins”. When employees are actively involved in improvement efforts, willingness to adopt and sustain new solutions increases significantly. However, there is often a lack of a clear method to capture experiential knowledge systematically and translate it into improvements.

What hard-earned insight would you definitely pass on?

One important insight, although I suspect it doesn’t really spare anyone detours, is that expertise alone is not enough. What matters is the willingness to make decisions and take responsibility for them. This sense of responsibility does not develop by itself; it grows through practice, reflection, and an open approach to mistakes, which is not a weakness, but a sign of professionalism that builds trust.

Equally important is asking questions rather than staying silent out of uncertainty. Questions prevent misunderstandings and accelerate real learning.

So if there is one thing I would pass on, it’s this: decide courageously, ask curious questions, and learn openly from mistakes.

Which types of customer challenges appeal to you most in your new role as a Senior Consultant at PharmaKorell—and why?

I’m particularly drawn to customer challenges where I can directly apply my experience from pharmaceutical contract manufacturing, especially in the field of sterile medicinal products, to support customers in a very practical way.

At the same time, I’m looking forward to challenges that help me grow both technically and methodologically. The pharmaceutical world is diverse and evolving rapidly. The opportunity to look beyond my previous technical focus, explore new subject areas, and get to know different ways of thinking and working is highly motivating for me.

Ultimately, what excites me most is the mix: a varied “bouquet” of projects, structures, and questions. For me, that variety is what makes the consultant role so appealing right now.

In times of capacity constraints, pressure can increase to release batches particularly quickly. As a QP, what are your non-negotiables? Where do you draw the line, regardless of circumstances?

The role of the QP was intentionally established by the legislator as the final independent safeguard between manufacturing and the patient and that is exactly how I understand it. Medicinal products are a special good, and in the end it is always about people who trust that we take our responsibility seriously. I draw the line where patient safety can no longer be guaranteed beyond doubt. If uncertainties remain, if data are missing, or if risks have not been fully assessed, then I cannot and must not release a batch. This decision must not be influenced by time pressure, commercial interests, or external expectations.

As a globally operating consultancy and certification firm, we continuously monitor pharmaceutical innovations and trends worldwide and enjoy networking within our industry. This year we will be participating in the following international events, among others:

CPHI Europe | Milan | 6 – 8 October 2026

Festival of Biologics | Basel | 13 – 15 October 2026

Swiss Biotech Day | Basel | 4 – 5 May 2026

Making Pharmaceuticals | Coventry | 21 – 22 April 2026

CPHI China | Shanghai | 16 – 18 June 2026

BIO International Convention | San Diego | 22 – 25 June 2026

What’s on your trade show agenda for 2026? We are always open to further suggestions. We look forward to possibly meeting you at one or more of these events.

On behalf of the entire PharmaKorell team, we extend our warmest Season's Greetings to everyone, whether near or far! We look forward to continuing to assist our clients in safely bringing innovative medication to the market in the coming year.

From 24 December to 6 January, our availability will be limited.For urgent matters, you can reach us between the holidays at info@pharmakorell.com.