CordenPharma has revealed plans for a €500m investment in the construction of a new peptide manufacturing facility in Muttenz, Switzerland, situated near Basel.
This development is a part of the Swiss contract development and manufacturing organisation’s (CDMO) broader strategy to expand its peptide platform and target sales exceeding €1bn by 2028.
The new peptide manufacturing plant will be located at Getec Park, approximately 8km from Basel, a significant centre for biotechnology and pharmaceuticals in Europe.
According to CordenPharma, the chosen site offers strategic benefits, including robust infrastructure and effective logistics crucial for peptide production.
Additionally, the proximity to Basel provides access to a skilled workforce, as the area serves as a nexus for pharma and biotech industries at the intersection of Germany, France, and Switzerland.
CordenPharma president and CEO Michael Quirmbach said: “We are excited to announce the construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant just outside Basel, Switzerland, within one of the leading pharma and biotech hubs in Europe.
“The new facility is designed to deliver flexible and efficient peptide manufacturing to meet the growing demand of innovative peptide medicines for our customers and ultimately, patients.”
This new site will feature multiple lines for manufacturing peptides on scales ranging from small to large, utilising solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) reactors with a combined capacity exceeding 5,000l.
It will incorporate advanced automation and digitalisation technologies to meet stringent regulatory standards such as biologics licence applications (BLA) requirements.
CordenPharma revealed that the construction phase is planned between 2025 and 2027, with commercial operations anticipated to commence in early 2028. The project is expected to create more than 300 new jobs, contributing positively to regional economic growth.
In conjunction with the Swiss development, CordenPharma is also expanding its Boulder, Colorado operations. This expansion involves increasing the SPPS reactor capacity by over 25,000l, bringing the total capacity to more than 42,000l by 2028.
These initiatives are set to significantly enhance CordenPharma’s production capabilities. Together with ongoing expansions at the Colorado facility, these efforts are expected to reinforce CordenPharma’s standing as a key partner in the CDMO peptide space.
CordenPharma was acquired by private equity firm Astorg in 2022, which is said to have been instrumental in supporting these growth initiatives.
Astorg flagship fund co-head and healthcare head Judith Charpentier said: “CordenPharma’s bold expansion reflects its leadership in addressing the growing demand for peptide manufacturing. As a long-term investor, we are fully committed to supporting this growth, combining industrial excellence with strategic investment to strengthen CordenPharma’s position as a leading global CDMO.
“Ultimately, this expansion contributes to expanding access to those life-saving peptide-based medicines for patients.”
