Knowledge · Contract manufacturer vs. filler
Contract manufacturer and contract filler: who does what?
Distinguishing the two production roles — and why INOPREX, as the manufacturer, works with a network of both.
A contract manufacturer produces a complete product on behalf of a brand owner — from making the formulation to finished goods. A contract filler fills, converts and packages an existing product. Both roles coexist because different dosage forms require different plants and competencies.
Terms compared
| Criterion | Contract manufacturer | Contract filler |
|---|---|---|
| Core service | Making the product (formulation, process) | Filling and packaging existing goods |
| Typical products | Creams, gels, capsules, tablets | Liquids, powders, converting |
| Plants | Mixing vessels, emulsifying, tableting | Filling and packaging lines |
| Regulatory proximity | GMP under ISO 22716 or ISO 13485 | GMP per category, often a supplier to the manufacturer |
Why a network?
No single contract plant covers all dosage forms economically. INOPREX selects per project by dosage form, capacity and certification — the client still has only one contractual partner.
What distinguishes INOPREX
INOPREX is not the contract manufacturer or filler but the manufacturer of the client project: INOPREX carries the regulatory responsibility, selects the contract plants and is responsible for quality, documentation and market access from a single source.
Frequently asked questions
Do I lose control as a client when partner plants manufacture?
No. The sole contractual partner is INOPREX; the plants work to our specifications on our mandate. You have one contact.
Why not an own factory?
Because the range from creams to capsules to gummies cannot be represented economically in one plant. The network allows the optimal line per project.
Applied to your project
We apply these rules directly to your project — from classification to market access. First assessment within two working days.