- Novartis will launch a new GMP-ready cell culture system, RPP1-CC, at its Kundl site in Austria by Q3 2025.
- The expansion supports the company’s commitment to advanced biologics manufacturing technologies and increased mammalian production capacity.
Novartis has announced an expansion of its biologics manufacturing infrastructure in Austria, with a new cell culture system under construction at its Kundl Drug Substance site. The facility, known as RPP1-CC, is expected to be GMP-ready by the third quarter of 2025.
Located at Novartis’ Center of Excellence for Biologics Manufacturing, the new line will support the production of proteins via mammalian cell culture technology. The system will handle products such as monoclonal antibodies and bispecific antibodies, serving both internal projects and external clients.
According to the company, the facility is being built with a focus on sustainability. “By different measures, we could reduce the energy consumption and consequently the carbon footprint of this facility by approximately 50% compared to a conventional facility,” the company stated.
Once operational, the plant will have the capacity to produce approximately 150 batches per year, equating to 1.7 million litres of cell culture harvest. The site will be highly automated, multi-purpose, and compliant with current good manufacturing practices (cGMP), supporting both Novartis and customer programmes.
The company highlights its long-standing expertise in biopharmaceutical production and its commitment to helping other firms deliver medicines to market.
