Company Description
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST) is a Pennsylvania-based manufacturer in the surgical and medical instrument manufacturing industry that focuses on injectable drug administration. The company describes itself as a provider of innovative, high-quality injectable solutions and services, working with established and emerging drug developers to help ensure the safe, effective containment and delivery of life-saving and life-enhancing medicines for patients.
West Pharmaceutical Services is headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania and is included in the Standard & Poor's 500 index. According to company disclosures, West has over 10,000 team members across 50 sites, including 25 manufacturing facilities worldwide, and delivers over 41 billion components and devices each year. These operations support customers in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and generic drug industries.
Business focus and product categories
According to the company and third-party descriptions, West is a key supplier to firms in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and generic drug industries. West sells elastomer-based packaging components, such as stoppers, seals and plungers, as well as nonglass containment solutions and auto-injectors for injectable drugs. These injectable therapies include large-molecule biologics, peptides such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, and small-molecule drugs.
West reports its operations in two main segments: proprietary products and contract-manufactured products. Proprietary products account for a substantial majority of revenue, while contract-manufactured products represent the remainder. Within proprietary products, the company highlights High-Value Product (HVP) Components, HVP Delivery Devices and Standard Products as key categories. Contract-manufactured products include self-injection devices and other healthcare-related devices produced for customers.
Role in injectable drug administration
West positions itself as a trusted partner to drug developers, emphasizing its role in containment and delivery of injectable medicines. The company notes that its solutions are designed to help support the safe and effective administration of life-saving and life-enhancing therapies. West's offerings span components and systems that are used with biologics, vaccines and other injectable treatments.
In its communications, West describes its approach as patient-centric, particularly in relation to large-dose on-body delivery devices. The company has developed on-body delivery technologies, including the SmartDose® platform, for complex injectable medicines. It has also announced the launch of the West Synchrony™ Prefillable Syringe (PFS) System, described as a system-level solution designed specifically for biologics and vaccines, with a fully verified platform and supporting performance and regulatory data packages.
Segments and market exposure
West's reporting segment information shows two operating segments:
- Proprietary Products – includes HVP Components, HVP Delivery Devices and Standard Products. HVP Components include offerings such as Westar® and Envision® products, while HVP Delivery Devices include technologies such as Daikyo Crystal Zenith® and Administration Systems.
- Contract-Manufactured Products – includes products such as self-injection devices for conditions including obesity and diabetes, as well as healthcare diagnostic devices produced under contract for customers.
Company disclosures indicate that proprietary products account for the majority of consolidated net sales, with contract-manufactured products representing a smaller, but meaningful, portion. West has also reported that its business benefits from demand related to GLP-1 products and other injectable therapies.
Geographic and operational footprint
West states that it operates across 50 sites, including 25 manufacturing facilities worldwide. While specific country allocations are not detailed in the provided materials, the company notes that it is a global organization and that it delivers tens of billions of components and devices annually. The Polygon description further notes that West generates revenue from both United States and international markets.
Capital markets profile
West Pharmaceutical Services is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WST. The company is part of the S&P 500 index, which places it among larger U.S.-listed companies by market capitalization. West has reported regular quarterly dividends and has disclosed share repurchase activity under its share repurchase program.
Recent strategic and product developments
West has reported several notable developments related to its product portfolio and manufacturing footprint:
- The company announced a definitive agreement to sell all manufacturing and supply rights for the SmartDose® 3.5mL On-Body Delivery System and associated facilities to AbbVie for total consideration at closing, subject to adjustments. West stated that it will continue commercial supply of the SmartDose 3.5mL system and execute ongoing project commitments prior to closing, and that it will continue to develop and manufacture other versions of SmartDose, including SmartDose® 10mL On-Body Delivery System and adaptive technology for larger volumes.
- AbbVie and West jointly announced a definitive agreement for AbbVie to acquire a device manufacturing facility in Tempe, Arizona and associated intellectual property from West, with the transaction expected to close subject to conditions. The facility includes multiple production lines and 3.5 mL on-body injector technology to support AbbVie's immunology and neuroscience medicines.
- West announced the launch of the West Synchrony™ Prefillable Syringe System, described as a fully verified system-level solution for biologics and vaccines, with design and system-level performance data, regulatory support packages and a single-source supply model.
Financial reporting and guidance
West regularly reports its financial results and guidance through press releases and SEC filings. The company has highlighted net sales growth across both Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products segments, as well as growth in HVP Components and HVP Delivery Devices. It also provides guidance ranges for net sales and adjusted-diluted EPS, along with information on capital spending, operating cash flow and free cash flow. These details are subject to change over time and are updated in the company’s earnings releases and Form 8-K filings.
Regulatory filings and governance
West Pharmaceutical Services files periodic and current reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. Recent 8-K filings have covered quarterly financial results, changes in senior leadership, and other material events. For example, the company filed an 8-K announcing its third-quarter 2025 financial results and another 8-K describing the appointment of a new Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer and related compensation arrangements.
Position within the healthcare supply chain
Based on the company’s own descriptions and third-party summaries, West plays a role in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain by supplying components, systems and contract-manufactured devices that support injectable drug products. Its elastomer-based packaging components, nonglass containment solutions, prefillable syringe systems and on-body delivery technologies are used by drug developers to bring injectable therapies to patients.
FAQs about West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST)
- What does West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. do?
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. provides injectable solutions and services that support the containment and delivery of injectable medicines. The company sells elastomer-based packaging components, nonglass containment solutions, auto-injectors and other delivery systems, and it manufactures contract products such as self-injection devices and healthcare devices for customers. - In which industry and sector does West operate?
West operates in the surgical and medical instrument manufacturing industry within the broader manufacturing sector, with a focus on injectable drug administration for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and generic drug companies. - How is West’s business organized?
West reports its business in two segments: Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products. Proprietary Products include High-Value Product Components, High-Value Product Delivery Devices and Standard Products. Contract-Manufactured Products include self-injection devices and other healthcare-related products produced under contract. - Where is West Pharmaceutical Services headquartered?
West Pharmaceutical Services is headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania, as disclosed in its press releases and SEC filings. - On which exchange is WST stock listed?
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WST and is included in the Standard & Poor's 500 index. - What types of products does West supply to drug developers?
According to company and third-party descriptions, West supplies elastomer-based packaging components such as stoppers, seals and plungers, nonglass containment solutions, auto-injectors, on-body delivery systems such as SmartDose® platforms, and prefillable syringe systems such as the West Synchrony™ PFS System. - What is the SmartDose® 3.5mL On-Body Delivery System transaction with AbbVie?
West announced a definitive agreement to sell all manufacturing and supply rights for the SmartDose® 3.5mL On-Body Delivery System and associated facilities to AbbVie, with closing subject to conditions. West stated that it will continue to supply the SmartDose 3.5mL system and fulfill project commitments prior to closing, and that it will continue to develop and manufacture other SmartDose versions. - What is the West Synchrony™ Prefillable Syringe System?
The West Synchrony™ Prefillable Syringe System is described by the company as a fully verified, system-level solution for biologics and vaccines. It offers a design and system-level performance package, regulatory support through a system-level drug master file and regulatory package, and a single-source supply model with make-to-stock and make-to-order options. - How does West describe its role with customers?
West describes itself as a trusted partner to established and emerging drug developers, helping to ensure safe, effective containment and delivery of injectable medicines. The company emphasizes a patient-centric approach, particularly in relation to large-dose on-body delivery devices. - Does West pay dividends?
West has disclosed regular quarterly dividends on its common stock in its press releases. Specific dividend amounts and payment dates are announced periodically and may change over time.
Stock Performance
Latest News
SEC Filings
Financial Highlights
Upcoming Events
Dividend record date
Facility sale closing
Asset sale to AbbVie
Quarterly dividend payable
Short Interest History
Short interest in West Pharm Svcs (WST) currently stands at 1.8 million shares, down 14.0% from the previous reporting period, representing 2.5% of the float. Over the past 12 months, short interest has increased by 29.5%. This relatively low short interest suggests limited bearish sentiment.
Days to Cover History
Days to cover for West Pharm Svcs (WST) currently stands at 2.7 days, down 10.5% from the previous period. This days-to-cover ratio represents a balanced liquidity scenario for short positions. The days to cover has increased 172% over the past year, indicating improving liquidity conditions. The ratio has shown significant volatility over the period, ranging from 1.0 to 3.9 days.