- Axplora will consolidate all ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) manufacturing at its Vizag, India site by the end of 2026, transferring production from its Gropello Cairoli, Italy facility.
- The move follows investment in Vizag to expand capacity and establish a fully integrated manufacturing platform from bile sourcing through API production.
Axplora has announced the strategic consolidation of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) manufacturing at its Vizag, India site, part of the PharmaZell business unit. The company said production will transition fully from its Gropello Cairoli, Italy site, operated by the Farmabios business unit, by the end of 2026. The decision follows a previously announced investment to expand UDCA manufacturing capacity in Vizag and establish an integrated production platform.
UDCA is a bile acid-derived active pharmaceutical ingredient used in therapies for chronic liver and gallbladder diseases. According to Axplora, global demand for UDCA is increasing due to greater diagnosis and treatment of chronic liver conditions, expanding healthcare access in emerging markets, and demand for specialty therapies requiring reliable API supply.
The Vizag facility manufactures UDCA using Axplora’s proprietary enzymatic synthesis process, which the company said reduces process steps and minimizes the use of solvents and reagents compared with conventional approaches. The site also offers backward integration through controlled bile sourcing and integrated API production. Axplora noted that the facility operates using the same enzymatic process and manufacturing standards as the Gropello site while providing additional expansion capacity and access to U.S. FDA-approved infrastructure.
“This decision reflects the strategic advantage of Axplora’s integrated global network and our ability to align investments with evolving customer needs. By consolidating UDCA manufacturing at Vizag, we are creating a more streamlined and scalable supply platform that strengthens resilience, simplifies operations and enhances service for customers worldwide.”
Martin Meeson, CEO of Axplora.
Axplora said regulatory approvals are now in place and UDCA is already being manufactured at the Vizag site. The company added that the facility recently completed a successful U.S. FDA inspection and is positioned to support current customer requirements and future market growth through integrated operations, scalable capacity, and a global supply platform.
