WuXi Biologics Kicks off Construction of Microbial Manufacturing Site for Commercial Production in Chengdu

Core Insights - WuXi Biologics has commenced construction of a new microbial manufacturing site in Chengdu, China, aimed at enhancing its commercial production capabilities in the pharmaceutical sector [1][4]. Group 1: Facility Details - The new site will cover an area of 95,000 square meters and will include both drug substance (DS) and drug product (DP) facilities, capable of producing a variety of modalities such as peptides, antibody fragments, plasmid DNA, enzymes, cytokines, and virus-like particles (VLPs) [2][6]. - The facility is expected to complete GMP release for production by the end of 2026 and will feature a 15,000L fermenter, allowing for an annual production capacity of 80 to 110 DS batches, with future expansion potential to 60,000L [2][6]. - It will also house China's first dual-chamber lyophilization production line and a vial filling line, with an overall DP manufacturing capacity exceeding 10 million vials annually [2][6]. Group 2: Technological Advancements - The site will utilize WuXi Biologics' EffiXTM microbial expression platform, designed for the development and manufacturing of biologics with high yield, consistent quality, and superior stability and scalability, achieving titers exceeding 15 g/L for non-mAb recombinant proteins [3][6]. - Advanced automated systems will be implemented to ensure regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and high-quality standards, with a focus on energy conservation and sustainability through optimized processes and carbon tracking mechanisms [3]. Group 3: Strategic Partnerships - WuXi Biologics will produce VISEN Pharmaceuticals' first commercial product, Lonapegsomatropin, at the new site, which is a long-acting growth hormone for treating pediatric growth hormone deficiency [4]. - The company has also formed a strategic partnership with Virogen Biotechnology, highlighting its expanding portfolio of collaborations aimed at meeting the growing demand for advanced biologic therapies [4][5]. Group 4: Market Positioning - The CEO of WuXi Biologics emphasized that the new Chengdu site is strategically positioned to capitalize on the booming global market for microbial products, which presents significant potential for next-generation therapies [5].