The contract research, development and manufacturing subsidiary of WuXi AppTec said the facility integrates multi-channel chip, micro-mixer and complex preparation systems into a core LNP manufacturing platform that offers significant advantages in drug-loading, liposome particle size control and encapsulation efficiency. 

Its modular design also provides greater processing flexibility, enabling the platform to serve a wide range of manufacturing scales from 10-50 liters per batch, the company noted.

WuXi added that the facility has considerable synergy with the its oligonucleotide CRDMO platform, as the LNP delivery system has particular advantages in overcoming the bioavailability challenge of oligonucleotides and their conjugates. 

“We will continue to expand our CRDMO platform's capacity and capabilities to enable our partners to accelerate more innovative drugs to market for patients worldwide," said Minzhang Chen, CEO of WuXi STA and co-CEO of WuXi AppTec.

In July, the Shanghai-based firm opened a new continuous manufacturing plant for large-scale API and advanced intermediate production, as well as a large-scale oligonucleotide and peptide manufacturing facility at Changzhou. That same month, WuXi announced plans to invest about $1.43 billion in a new R&D and manufacturing site in Singapore.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist