Axplora, a Germany-based specialist in the development and manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), has announced a €35m expansion of its Farmabios facility in Gropello Cairoli, Italy.
The investment will more than double the site’s footprint and significantly strengthen its capabilities in high-potency active pharmaceutical ingredient (HPAPI) manufacturing.
The expansion is set for completion in 2026 and marks the latest phase of sustained investment in the site, which has now received over €80m in funding over the past five years.
Central to this latest investment is the continued development of Farmabios’ RS40 building, a purpose-built, state-of-the-art unit dedicated to the safe handling and processing of HPAPIs.
The facility is engineered to support an Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) as low as 10 nanograms per cubic metre
Notably, the facility is engineered to support an Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) as low as 10 nanograms per cubic metre, meeting full OEB5 containment criteria.
This level of containment places Farmabios at the forefront of HPAPI manufacturing capability, ensuring both product integrity and operator safety through stringent exposure control measures.
The RS40 unit features exposure zoning, stand-alone workshops, fully isolated process rooms, and dedicated micronisation suites equipped with isolators designed specifically for HPAPI handling.
These measures enable safe, efficient processing of highly potent compounds while minimising cross-contamination risks, aligning with the most demanding international safety and quality standards.
The facility is engineered to support an Occupational Exposure Limit as low as 10 nanograms per cubic metre, meeting full OEB5 containment criteria.
“This expansion is not just a matter of scale, it’s about shaping the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing,” said Mario Di Giacomo, Managing Director of Farmabios. “We are investing with purpose: to enhance our capabilities, support our partners, and continue leading with innovation and integrity.”
Since 2020, Farmabios has experienced rapid growth, with its workforce nearly doubling from around 150 to almost 300 employees.
This reflects both the site’s strategic significance within Axplora’s global operations and the growing demand for specialist HPAPI manufacturing services.
Martin Meeson, CEO of Axplora, added: “The Farmabios site reflects Axplora’s commitment to being a proactive, science-led, and sustainable partner. Every investment we make is guided by the ambition to deliver greater value to our customers, while raising the bar in reliability, speed, and efficiency.”
The site has also advanced its environmental performance with the integration of Regenerative Thermal Oxidisers
In addition to its HPAPI capabilities, Farmabios hosts specialist facilities for cytotoxic and sterile processing, alongside comprehensive R&D infrastructure and warehousing capacity.
The site has also advanced its environmental performance with the integration of Regenerative Thermal Oxidisers (RTOs) and, in 2024, was awarded Platinum status by EcoVadis, placing it within the top 1% of companies globally for sustainability.
This latest development follows other recent strategic investments across Axplora’s manufacturing network, including €50m at its Mourenx site and €8m at Le Mans.
