WuXi AppTec, a global company that provides a broad portfolio of R&D and manufacturing services, announced the commissioning of its two new peptide manufacturing plants, one at its Changzhou facility and another at the new Taixing site both in China.
The new peptide plant will be the third in the Changzhou site and the peptide plant at the Taixing site marks its official launch as the newest and largest of WuXi AppTec's five API production sites.
Spanning a total area of 169 acres, the Taixing site is designed to manufacture a range of synthetic molecules, including small molecules, peptides, oligonucleotides, and conjugates.
The phase I construction includes nine plants with a total reactor volume exceeding 1,000 cubic metres, including a dedicated plant for API clean rooms. This setup enhances API manufacturing efficiency for global customers. Once Taixing site Phase I is fully operational in 2025, the company's total reactor volume for small molecule API and intermediate manufacturing will surpass 4,000 cubic metres.
The launch of our new peptide manufacturing plants and the development of the new Taixing site are important milestones for WuXi AppTec
This significant expansion has increased the company's Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS) total reactor volume to 32,000 litres, addressing the surging global demand for peptide therapeutics.
Both new peptide plants utilise cutting-edge digital operation systems with automated solvent delivery, optimising production consistency, minimising human errors, and reducing production cycle time.
The company's WuXi TIDES CRDMO platform provides integrated services for oligonucleotides, peptides, and conjugates, including both API and drug products from discovery to commercial stages.
In 2023, WuXi TIDES supported approximately 50 preclinical to commercial stage peptide projects and produced more than 15 metric tons of peptide APIs and intermediates. With the newly expanded capacity, WuXi TIDES is poised to support more peptide therapeutic developments for global partners.
Co-CEO of WuXi AppTec, Dr. Minzhang Chen, said: “The launch of our new peptide manufacturing plants and the development of the new Taixing site are important milestones for WuXi AppTec. Our expanded capacity is essential for accelerating drug development and ensuring a reliable supply chain for our global partners. WuXi AppTec will continue to focus on enhancing our capability and capacity, accelerating innovative therapies to patients globally."