- Cambrex completed engineering studies for a new $120 million API manufacturing plant in Iowa, with groundbreaking planned for late 2026.
- The company is also investing $30 million in its Milan site to expand R&D and manufacturing capabilities, with completion expected in 2027.
Cambrex has completed initial engineering studies for a new large-scale active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing facility in Charles City, Iowa, marking progress in its previously announced $120 million investment to expand U.S. manufacturing capacity.
The new plant is expected to include 140,000 liters of capacity, featuring large- and mid-scale reactors, Hastelloy agitated filter dryers, and upgrades to existing manufacturing suites. Groundbreaking is scheduled for late 2026. Upon completion, the site is projected to increase large-scale manufacturing capacity by 20% and support complex chemistries, including controlled substances, highly potent APIs (HPAPI), and liquid phase peptide manufacturing at commercial scale.
The expansion is part of the company’s broader contract manufacturing strategy to strengthen its CDMO capabilities and address demand for complex small molecule production. Cambrex stated that the investment is intended to enhance its ability to support pharmaceutical companies with advanced chemistry requirements.
In parallel, Cambrex is investing $30 million in its Milan, Italy site. The project will add analytical development and process R&D capabilities and upgrade multiple production plants. The Milan expansion is expected to be completed in the second half of 2027, with additional land secured for future growth.
“Our Milan, Italy site has a distinguished legacy of supporting pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, and this year marks its 80th anniversary of operation. We are committed to ongoing investments to meet the growing market demand for complex chemistries, including tides, highly potent molecules, and controlled substances.”
Claudio Russolo, chief operating officer of Cambrex
