Jakub Knurek became a finalist of the CPHI Pharma Awards in the Future Leader category
Jakub Knurek, a marketing specialist at Mabion has been announced as a finalist for the Future Leader category at the CPHI Pharma Awards 2025. Jakub was also nominated for this award last year. That Mabion’s expert has been active not only in marketing and business development, but also in initiatives intended to build the next generation of pharma professionals. For example, he participated in a panel discussion “Building the Future Pharma Workforce”, at CPHI Milan 2024, and has contributed to Mabion’s contests and scientific outreach efforts such as the €500,000 oncology services contest announced at BIO International 2025.
Jakub Knurek is one of several distinguished finalists in the category, alongside Mark Kelada (Nelipak Laboratory Services), Mohammad Farahani (CinnaGen), Yolanda Gomez (Esteve CDMO), and Yuvansh Khokhani (YSK Laboratories). His nomination underscores his growing influence within Mabion and the wider biopharma community, especially in roles that straddle scientific understanding and market-facing responsibilities.
For me, science has always been about solving complex challenges, and business has been about making those solutions accessible on a global scale. Being a finalist reinforces my faith to uniting these two worlds, ensuring our work contributes to the health and well-being of people everywhere.
This nomination is not only about my journey, but also about the teams and mentors who have supported me throughout my career. I’m proud to represent Mabion and Poland in this international arena, showcasing how our expertise in biologics resonates across the industry.
Jakub Knurek, Mabion
The Future Leader award is dedicated to recognizing professionals under the age of 35 with at least five years of experience in pharma, biopharma, or academia, who are demonstrating leadership, innovation, and significant impact on the industry.
Our Future Leader
Before joining Mabion, Knurek built a remarkable academic record that laid the groundwork for his current professional success. A graduate of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, he specialized in microbiology and biochemistry, conducting research on proteasome inhibition, stress response, and nanocomposite biomaterials. His scientific achievements were recognized with numerous awards, including First Place at the 3rd Forum of Young Naturalists “Agriculture. Food. Health, the Audience Award at the 6th Molecular Biology Conference in Łódź, and a Distinction at the 1st International Conference of Natural and Medical Sciences. He also earned the Scholarship of the Minister of Science and Higher Education for Outstanding Achievements and an Honorable Mention in the Dr. Jamie Lynn Marshall Competition for the Best Graduate of UMCS.
These accolades, together with his scholarly activity and scientific publications, illustrate Knurek’s long-standing commitment to advancing life sciences. His ability to combine rigorous scientific insight with strategic communication has proven invaluable at Mabion, where he has supported the company’s positioning as a leading Polish biologics CDMO. His work bridges science and business, enabling the company to effectively communicate its biologics capabilities, build international partnerships, and enhance visibility at key industry events such as BIO International Convention and CPHI.
The award ceremony will take place during CPHI Frankfurt on 28 October 2025 and will celebrate the industry’s brightest stars who are shaping the now and the future of the global pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical landscape.
Meet Jakub Knurek and the entire Mabion team at CPHI 2025 in Frankfurt. You can find him at booth 4.1L48, in the Bioproduction Zone.
Bartłomiej as Director of Business Development at Mabion drives strategic growth initiatives and partnerships in the CDMO sector for biologics. He represents the company in international business engagements and leads efforts to align Mabion’s services with evolving market needs. His role includes trend analysis, offer preparation, and shaping the company’s development roadmap. Bartłomiej combines scientific understanding with commercial acumen to position Mabion as a competitive player in the biologics outsourcing market.
Sources and further reading
CPHI. The CPHI Pharma Awards. 2025.
CPHI. Building the Future Pharma Workforce – discussion panel. 2024.
24/7 Biopharma. 2025 CPHI Pharma Award finalists. 2025.
Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin website. Jakub Knurek profile. 2018.
FAQ
The Future Leader category honours rising stars under 35 who have at least five years of experience in pharma, biotech, or academia. It highlights professionals who bring new perspectives, scientific innovation, and leadership potential, positioning them as the next generation shaping the pharmaceutical industry in Europe and worldwide.
The winners will be revealed during the CPHI Awards Ceremony on 28 October 2025 in Frankfurt. The event brings together international leaders in pharma and biotech, celebrating excellence in categories such as drug development, manufacturing, sustainability, and leadership.
Knurek’s nomination positions Poland as an emerging hub of pharmaceutical innovation and talent. By showcasing a young leader from Mabion at a global platform like CPHI Frankfurt, the recognition reinforces Poland’s growing influence in the biotech industry and highlights the country’s scientific and business contributions to global healthcare.
Jakub Knurek is a Marketing Specialist at Mabion S.A., a leading Polish biologics CDMO. He was selected as a finalist in the Future Leader category of the CPHI Pharma Awards 2025 in Frankfurt, Germany, recognizing his achievements in combining strong scientific research with business expertise to support innovation in biologics development.
