WuXi STA has added two 2,000 L reactors and a large-scale continuous purification system for peptide manufacturing at its Changzhou campus, bringing the total reactor volume for solid-phase peptide synthesis to over 10,000 L. It has also added a new system that features 300-DAC twin columns for continuous purification of kilogram-scale peptides and oligonucleotides, with faster turnaround times and lower solvent consumption.
Italian CDMO Dipharma Francis has completed of the expansion of its R&D centre for small molecules at its headquarters site in Baranzate, near Milan. This boosts lab space for analytical R&D activities by over 130%. The equipment includes a new 500 MHz NMR and the centre is managed via cloud-based integrated data systems.
Brenntag has opened its new pharmaceutical application development centre in the Singapore Science Park. This will be the company’s first pharma R&D facility anywhere, as well as part of Brenntag Specialties’ global network of 82 innovation and application development centres.
“Singapore is an ideal location for our first pharmaceutical application development centre, given its thriving ecosystem of R&D partners, technology providers and talent,” said Romain Girard, president of pharma Asia-Pacific at Brenntag Specialties. T
The CPHI Content Team takes a look ahead at the key event in the pharma space in North America
CPHI North America is where the world’s largest healthcare economy meets with global pharma markets, ingredient suppliers, contract manufacturers and all parts of the supply chain. Being held at the Pennsylvania Convention Centre on 25-27 April, the event acts as a central hub for the US drug development and manufacturing industry and features a who’s who of international pharma leaders, innovators and developers.
Evonik is making a “mid-double-digit million euro investment” in a production facility for its Aeroxide brand of fumed aluminium oxide at its site in Yokkaichi, Japan (pictured). This will be its first alumina plant in Asia and will be geared to making ultra-thin separator coatings the next generation lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. Construction will begin this summer for a scheduled opening in 2025.
CDMO Flamma Group is to invest about $200 million over the next three years across its network of sites in Italy, the US and China, as it “continues to respond to market demands that require future growth and opportunity”. This includes:
* Revamping the site at Bulciago, Italy, that was acquired in 2022
* Completing the new GMP facility at the Flamma Honkai site in Dalian, China, where small molecule API and NCE capacity will ultimately quadruple to 800 m3 to meet growing domestic demand
Following a review over the past few months of its of its manufacturing capacity relative to customer needs and market trends across its product portfolio, Veranova’s Macfarlan Smith subsidiary has announced a proposal to close its facility at Newbie, near Annan in Scotland. It will now conduct statutory consultation requirements under UK law.
CEO Niek Stapel said: “Every effort has been made to avoid proposing the closure of the plant. This was a difficult decision to make which in no way reflects the performance or commitment of our colleagues at Annan.”
