- Cohance Lifesciences announces a USD 10 million investment to expand cGMP bioconjugation capabilities at its U.S. subsidiary NJ Bio.
- The expanded Princeton facility will support integrated Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) development and manufacturing through to Phase 2b clinical supply.
Cohance Lifesciences has revealed a strategic investment of USD 10 million to grow its cGMP bioconjugation capabilities at NJ Bio, its subsidiary based in Princeton, New Jersey. The expansion aligns with Cohance’s global strategy to strengthen its contract research, development and manufacturing organisation (CRDMO) offering in technology-driven modalities, particularly Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs).
The investment will establish a new state-of-the-art, cGMP compliant bioconjugation suite designed to handle high-potency drug substances, with the capacity to manufacture up to 2 kg of ADCs. This volume is sufficient to meet clinical requirements up to Phase 2b studies. The expanded facility is expected to be operational by the end of Q4 FY26, after which bioconjugation activities will commence. This capability complements NJ Bio’s existing payload-linker synthesis, creating a fully integrated ADC manufacturing platform under one roof.
Currently, NJ Bio is delivering a major programme for an existing innovator client involving multiple ADC candidates, encompassing early-phase payload-linker development with plans to transition into cGMP bioconjugation once the new suite is commissioned. In addition, NJ Bio is in advanced talks with several other customers aiming to move ADC programmes into cGMP manufacturing in line with the expansion.
The global ADC market is expanding rapidly, driven by rising cancer incidence and increasing demand for targeted immuno-oncology therapies. NJ Bio’s single-site CRDMO model, integrating chemistry, process optimisation, analytical characterisation, and clinical manufacturing, meets growing industry preference for seamless end-to-end contract manufacturing solutions.
Vivek Sharma, Executive Chairman of Cohance Lifesciences, commented: “This investment marks a pivotal milestone in strengthening our footprint in the rapidly growing ADC space. By integrating payload-linker development and bioconjugation capabilities under one roof, NJ Bio will be well-positioned to support accelerated development timelines and help bring life-saving therapies to patients faster.”
