WuXi Biologics Begins Construction of Microbial CDMO Site in Chengdu

• WuXi Biologics has started construction of a new microbial drug substance and drug product manufacturing facility in Chengdu.

• The 95,000m² site will support commercial-scale production and introduce China’s first dual-chamber lyophilisation line.

WuXi Biologics, a global Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO), has announced the start of construction on its new microbial manufacturing facility in Chengdu’s Wenjiang district. The site, spanning 95,000 square metres, will serve as a commercial drug substance (DS) and drug product (DP) production hub for a range of biologic modalities including peptides, plasmid DNA, enzymes, and virus-like particles.

Set for GMP production release by the end of 2026, the facility will be equipped with a 15,000L fermenter and support annual output of 80 to 110 batches. Plans are in place to scale up to 60,000L capacity. A key feature of the site will be China’s first dual-chamber lyophilisation production line, alongside a vial filling line, bringing total DP manufacturing capacity to over 10 million vials per year.

The site will also incorporate WuXi Biologics’ EffiX™ microbial expression platform, which supports yields exceeding 15 g/L for non-mAb recombinant proteins. The facility design includes automation systems to support quality and regulatory compliance, and has a strong sustainability focus, with integrated carbon tracking and energy-saving features.

Initial commercial production at the Chengdu site will include lonapegsomatropin, a long-acting growth hormone for paediatric growth hormone deficiency (PGHD), developed by VISEN Pharmaceuticals. WuXi Biologics is also supporting commercial manufacturing for Virogen Biotechnology, further expanding its CDMO partnership portfolio.

Dr Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics, stated: “The strategic partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies not only validate the capabilities of our new site but also represent a pivotal milestone in our unwavering commitment to accelerating the development and delivery of innovative therapies to patients worldwide.”