Sweden-based drug developer and toll manufacturer Recipharm is investing €3.7 million in expanding its lyophilization capacity at Masate, Italy, near Milan. The company said the expansion, which is in response to growing customer demand, forms part of its strategy to become a leading lyophilization provider and at the same time complements its €32 million investment in a capacity increase at Wasserburg, Germany.

Recipharm’s Masate, facility specializes in aseptic manufacturing and filling of parenteral and offers lyophilization capabilities in both vials and ampoules. Part of the expansion will be the introduction of a new lyophilizer for vials, increasing output capability by about 20%.

The new lyophilization machinery will allow the toll manufacturer to support more drug developers with their stability challenges and help meet growing demand for lyophilization services from both small and large drugmakers, particularly in Europe, China and Japan, general manager Giorgio Bruno said.