Dallas-Fort Worth · Pharma & Medical Device CDMOs
DFW has quietly become a meaningful pharma packaging and medical device contract manufacturing market.
The DFW life sciences cluster — Frisco, Plano, Lewisville, Fort Worth, and the I-35 corridor north into Denton — has roughly 50-80 contract manufacturers in the pharma packaging, medical device, and specialty bulk product segments. The cluster is concentrated enough that we can place programs locally with carriers that know the geography, the manufacturing footprint, and the labor market.
Our specialist network is concentrated in DFW. Most accounts in the practice are within an hour's drive of Dallas — that matters less for placement and more for renewal conversations, sponsor MSA reviews, and site visits when underwriting requires them.
What we typically place for DFW CDMOs
- Products and completed operations liability with appetite-matched life-sciences carriers
- Property and equipment breakdown, written for cleanroom-classified facilities
- Cargo and warehouseman's legal liability sized to sponsor inventory on premises
- Cyber liability with PHI and drug master file data considerations
- Workers compensation, including conversations about Texas non-subscriber options
- Auto, including hired and non-owned for asset-light operations
For accounts above $50M revenue or with controlled-substance exposure, we route placements through wholesale partners with specialty market access.
Free MSA review
A specialist will reach out by the end of the day.
Local questions
Common questions from DFW CDMOs
How many CDMOs are based in DFW?
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The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has roughly 50 to 80 contract manufacturers across pharmaceutical packaging, medical device, and specialty bulk product segments. The cluster runs from Plano and Frisco north into Denton, with concentration around the Las Colinas and Frisco life-sciences corridors.
Are there DFW-specific carriers for pharma contract manufacturing?
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Most life-sciences appetite carriers have local underwriting offices in Dallas or quick access via Texas-based wholesale brokers. Carrier appetite is national but local relationships speed renewals and audits.
Does Texas state law affect pharma contract manufacturer insurance?
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Texas is a comparative-fault state, which can affect indemnity language in sponsor MSAs. Texas also has its own anti-indemnity statutes for certain construction and oilfield contracts that occasionally bleed into manufacturing site agreements.
What is the typical CDMO program cost in the DFW market?
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A typical $20M-revenue oral-solid-dose CDMO in DFW runs roughly $60K to $130K per year for full pharma-grade coverage (CGL with products, recall, cargo, cyber, umbrella, professional). Sterile injectables and biologics start higher and can exceed $300K.
How long does a renewal review take for a DFW CDMO?
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Plan on 90 days for a clean renewal review with sponsor MSA recompliance. The first review with a new specialty broker typically runs 60 to 90 days because of program rebuild work. Subsequent renewals run 30 to 45 days.
Do I need a separate program for medical device packaging vs pharma packaging?
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Often yes. Medical device contract packagers face different products-liability dynamics (FDA Class I/II/III device classification matters for limits) and different sponsor MSA language than pharma packagers. Carriers usually price these as different sub-classes.