Episode 38: CDMOs Are Not a Shortcut – They’re a Strategy In Partnership With YD Labs

Powered by Protein Production Technology International Should food and fermentation companies build their own manufacturing capabilities - or can the right partners get them to market faster and more efficiently? In this episode of the Protein Production Technology International podcast, Nick Bradley was joined by Ariel Blumovich of YD Labs, David Ziskind of Mach Global Advisors, Tzvi Zvirin of BioArmix, Arnon Heyman of IBI Ag, and Ori Zakin of BioRaptor.AI to explore the evolving role of CDMOs in food and biotechnology scale-up. The panel challenged the perception that contract development and manufacturing organizations are simply outsourced service providers, discussing how strategic partnerships can help companies accelerate development, reduce capital requirements, and access expertise that would be difficult to build internally. The conversation examined one of the most important questions facing growth-stage companies: what should be built in-house and what should be entrusted to external partners? Speakers shared practical insights into protecting intellectual property, structuring long-term collaborations, and creating governance frameworks that allow innovation to flourish without compromising competitive advantage. Drawing on real-world experiences from across the food tech and biotechnology sectors, the discussion also explored why some CDMO relationships thrive while others fail, highlighting the importance of trust, transparency, aligned incentives, and continuous collaboration. From manufacturing strategy and partnership models to investment considerations and scale-up planning, the episode offered a practical framework for companies seeking to grow without overbuilding infrastructure too early. A must-listen for founders, R&D leaders, operations teams, investors, and anyone navigating the complex decisions required to scale food and fermentation technologies successfully.