WuXi Biologics’ third site: First batch done, US client next

26-Jul-2018 - Last updated on 26-Jul-2018 at 16:09 GMT

(Image: Getty/rzoze19)

WuXi Biologics completed its first manufacturing project at its 200,000 sq. ft. facility in Wuxi City earlier this week.

CEO Chris Chen told us the product, intended for the global market, was made for an unnamed Chinese client. “Another US project follows,” he added.

The contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) began construction of the $150m (€128m) site in 2015, and initiated current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) production earlier this year.

The plant houses process development labs and six production lines, including traditional fed-batch and continuous perfusion suites with continuous purification.

“WuXi Biologics boasts the largest mammalian cell culture capacity in China with total bioreactor capacity of approximately 43,000L,” we were told. The site will enable WuXi Biologics to complete 60 investigational new drug (IND) applications for clients annually.

The announcement follows a number of significant investments for the Chinese CDMO. In 2018 alone, WuXi Biologics announced plans to expand manufacturing for clinical and commercial production in Northern China, Ireland, Singapore, and the US. In addition, last month the firm started building its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) centre in Wuxi City, where it will offer biologics conjugate services for clients.