- WuXi Biologics announced structural completion and equipment arrival at its microbial manufacturing site in Chengdu, targeting GMP readiness by the end of 2026.
- The facility will support commercial-scale drug substance and drug product manufacturing, including up to 110 batches annually and more than 10 million vials per year.
WuXi Biologics announced the structural completion and arrival of key equipment at its microbial commercial manufacturing site in Chengdu, China, as it moves toward GMP release for production by the end of 2026. The site, located in the Wenjiang District, is designed to support commercial drug substance (DS) and drug product (DP) manufacturing for microbial-derived biologics.
The facility spans approximately 95,000 square meters and will focus on next-generation therapies, including antibody-drug conjugates, cell therapies, bispecific and multispecific antibodies, and cancer vaccines. These therapies rely on recombinant proteins such as polypeptides, enzymes, antibody fragments, nanobodies, and cytokines, which are produced using microbial fermentation processes.
Once operational, the site will include a 15,000 L fermenter capable of supporting up to 110 DS batches annually, with potential expansion to 60,000 L. It will also feature a dual-chamber lyophilization production line developed with VISEN Pharmaceuticals and a vial-filling line with capacity exceeding 10 million vials per year. These capabilities are intended to strengthen the company’s contract manufacturing and CDMO services for complex formulations.
The Chengdu site incorporates integrated automation and digital systems across manufacturing operations to support GMP compliance, operational efficiency, and data integrity. Environmental considerations are included in the design through green building practices such as sponge city concepts and photovoltaic modules aimed at improving resource and energy efficiency.
“The structural completion of our Chengdu microbial manufacturing site represents an important step forward in strengthening our commercial-scale microbial capabilities. Designed to facilitate efficient technology transfer and reliable commercial supply, the site reflects the growing adoption of microbial technologies across emerging modalities and advanced therapies.”
Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics
