Purpose, People, and Patients: What Drives Me in CDMO Business Development

Sarah Sink
Jun 2
3 min read

When people ask me why I love my job in business development within the CDMO space, I sometimes hesitate, not because I don’t have an answer, but because there are so many. It’s a blend of purpose, pace, and people, rooted in a deep belief that our work, while behind the scenes, truly matters.

At the core of it all is the patient. That’s what drives me. It’s the reason I get out of bed every day ready to jump into meetings, solve challenges, and build strategies. It’s not just about timelines or contracts, it’s about helping someone’s program move forward so that a child can get another summer, a parent can share another holiday, or a patient can finally feel relief and comfort in their own skin. That’s the impact we get to support in this industry.

And it’s a privilege I don’t take lightly.

A Relationship-Driven Role That Mirrors My Passions

I love meeting new people. I love hearing their stories, understanding their goals, and figuring out how I can help them get exactly what they need from a CDMO partner. Whether they’re a startup biotech navigating their first clinical program or a seasoned team working through a new modality, each conversation is an opportunity to align, guide, and collaborate. It's strategic, it's personal, and it’s deeply rewarding.

Having run my own small business, I bring an added layer of appreciation for the complexity my clients face, not just from a scientific standpoint, but also from the operational, financial, and organizational lens. I know what it means to juggle priorities, manage risk, and still try to move forward with conviction and clarity. That perspective allows me to meet clients where they are and advocate for solutions that truly support their mission.

I’m Here to Learn, Teach, and Grow

If you’ve seen the letters after my name, you know I value education. I hold three master’s degrees and a Bachelor of Science. But learning isn’t something I check off a list. It’s something I live.

Every day in this role, I get to learn. I learn from clients, from my internal team, and from the ever-evolving landscape of drug development. I love digging into new modalities, understanding what makes a process tick, and staying sharp on the science that underpins everything we do.

And just as I love to learn, I love to teach. My background as a teacher in science education taught me the power of clarity, curiosity, and helping others connect the dots. Whether I’m mentoring a new colleague or walking a client through the nuances of a development strategy, I see every interaction as a chance to elevate, empower, and educate.

Collaboration Is My Fuel

I thrive on cross-functional collaboration. Working alongside technical experts, project managers, quality leads, and leadership gives me a front-row seat to the magic that happens when diverse minds come together to solve real problems. Business development might be the entry point, but sustaining a strong client relationship takes a whole team, and I’m proud to play a central role in that dynamic.

Being a connector, a communicator, and a coordinator is what makes this work so fulfilling. I get to be in the middle of it all, listening, translating, supporting, and making sure that our efforts stay aligned to the bigger picture.

Showing Up Authentically

Most of all, I love that I get to be myself in this work. Honest, thoughtful, determined. I show up with the intention to listen, to lead with integrity, and to add value wherever I can. Whether I’m guiding a CDMO selection process, helping a client triage a supply chain issue, or simply making space for someone to think out loud, I’m in it, fully.

I don’t take trust lightly. When someone chooses to work with me, they’re not just signing up for a sales process; they’re getting a partner who genuinely cares, thinks long-term, and believes in the mission we’re all here to serve... patients.

Why It Matters

In a space as complex and fast-moving as drug development and manufacturing, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind. But I always come back to this: our work helps make life better for someone else. And that’s a rare gift.