CDMO Axplora invests USD60M in Italy to boost high-potential API production

ITALY—German contract development and manufacturing organization Axplora plans to invest USD60 million in expanding its Farmabios manufacturing facility located in Gropello Cairoli, Italy.

The company specializes in producing specialty active pharmaceutical ingredients for small molecules and antibody-drug conjugates.

The expansion centers on constructing a new three-story research and development hub spanning 4,500 square meters.

Axplora announced the project in a March 17 press release, stating that the facility will accelerate product development while expanding the site’s capacity to produce high-potency active pharmaceutical ingredients at commercial scale.

Construction crews have already broken ground on the expansion project, which Axplora expects to complete by February 2027.

The new building will integrate seamlessly with the plant’s existing operations, which currently run five independent manufacturing lines.

Enhanced capabilities for development and quality control

Beyond research and development space, the facility will house state-of-the-art quality control laboratories and dedicated microbiology labs.

These support areas will work in tandem with production operations to ensure product quality and regulatory compliance throughout the manufacturing process.

Martin Meeson, Axplora’s chief executive officer, emphasized the strategic importance of this investment.

He explained that expanding research and development, analytical, and quality capabilities alongside large-scale high-potency API production allows the company to shorten development cycles for partners.

This integrated approach helps clients control costs while accelerating their products’ time-to-market.

Strong position in ADC manufacturing market

Meeson highlighted Axplora’s established position in the antibody-drug conjugate sector, noting that the company already manufactures six of the 14 FDA-approved commercial ADCs currently on the market.

He added that Axplora continues experiencing strong momentum across ADC programs and other high-potency initiatives.

Part of broader European expansion strategy

This Italian investment follows Axplora’s recent expansion activities across Europe.

The company, previously known as Novasep before rebranding in 2022, announced a €50 million (USD57.4 million) investment at its Mourenx, France production site one year ago.

Axplora partnered with an undisclosed customer on that project, which aimed to strengthen the company’s peptide purification capabilities and support development of next-generation therapies, including GLP-1 medications.

The following month, Axplora revealed plans to expand its Le Mans, France, plant by adding a payload manufacturing workshop designed to accelerate ADC production timelines. The company did not disclose financial details for that particular project.

These coordinated investments across multiple European facilities demonstrate Axplora’s commitment to expanding its contract manufacturing capabilities in the rapidly growing high-potency API and antibody-drug conjugate markets.