Axplora Expands Capabilities at Le Mans Site
Axplora, an API small molecule and ADC (antibody-drug conjugate) manufacturer, is strengthening its position in the commercial manufacturing ADCs by launching a cutting-edge payload manufacturing workshop at its Le Mans site (France).
This expansion, part of Axplora's France 2030 program, builds on its proven commercial track record, supplying 40% of the world’s marketed ADCs, and 50% of FDA-approved ADCs. Axplora has opened a new facility designed to enhance the development and manufacturing of ADCs. The company is collaborating with various pharmaceutical firms to advance targeted therapies in oncology, aiming to improve patient outcomes globally.
The new GMP workshop, designed for flexibility and efficiency, is equipped with three Hastelloy reactors and can accommodate a fourth, offering a production range of 30 to 200 litres. It includes a dedicated Hastelloy filter dryer for high-level containment and safety, meeting industry standards for cytotoxic payload manufacturing. The facility can produce batches up to 1.5 kg, supporting the growing demand for next-generation payload families in oncology therapies, ensuring Axplora can meet increasing customer needs for larger quantities while maintaining secure and scalable supply.
Axplora’s expanded Le Mans facility now includes six workshops for clinical payload-linker production, commercial payloads, and bioconjugation, streamlining ADC development and scaling up production. With over 20 years of expertise and more than 250 cGMP batches produced, the site features four purification lines using high-performance chromatography. This integrated approach ensures a seamless transition from clinical phases to commercial production, reducing complexity and expediting timelines.
“This expansion is a bold step forward in our mission to support clients at every stage of ADC development and manufacturing,” stated Arul Ramadurai, Chief Commercial Officer. “By combining state-of-the-art payload manufacturing with our proven expertise in purification and bioconjugation, we’re enabling pharmaceutical innovators to accelerate drug development and deliver transformative treatments to patients faster.”
“With this investment, Axplora is strengthening its position as a global leader in the development and manufacturing of antibody-drug conjugates,” added Rachel de Luca, Site Director, Le Mans. “The addition of this new payload manufacturing asset demonstrates our dedication to equipping clients with the cutting-edge tools and capabilities needed to develop the n
