Carbogen Invests $31M to Expand ADC Production

Highlights

• Carbogen AMCIS and a Japanese partner are investing $31 million to expand ADC linker production in Switzerland.
• The Aarau facility is expected to be operational by Q1 2027, and the Neuland site by Q3 2027.
• Upgrades include 850-liter reactors and agitated filter dryers.
• The move follows a 2020 project to produce ADC linkers at Carbogen's Bubendorf headquarters.
• Carbogen joins other CDMOs like Lonza, AstraZeneca, and Daiichi Sankyo in boosting ADC manufacturing capabilities globally.

Swiss CDMO Enhances Infrastructure to Meet Rising ADC Demand

In response to growing global demand for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), Swiss contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Carbogen AMCIS has announced a significant expansion of its production capabilities. Partnering with an undisclosed Japanese firm, Carbogen will invest 25.5 million Swiss francs (approximately $31 million) to upgrade two of its three Swiss sites for commercial ADC linker production.

The company stated in a June 4 press release thatit and an unnamed Japanese partner will invest 25.5 million Swiss francs ($31 million) to outfit two of Carbogen’s three domestic facilities for commercial production of linkers, the chemicals that connect antibodies to drug payloads.

Facilities in Aarau and Neuland Set for 2027 Launch

The investment follows a previously announced upgrade in 2020, when Carbogen revealed plans to adapt its Bubendorf headquarters for ADC linker production. Now, the new funds will equip the Aarau facility to begin ADC operations by the first quarter of 2027, while the Neuland site is slated for completion by the third quarter of that year. According to the company, these upgrades will include installation of 850-liter reactors and agitated filter dryers.

By investing in both Aarau and Neuland, we’re ensuring that our infrastructure keeps pace with our customers’ ambitions, said Carl Baker, Vice President of Carbogen’s drug substance business unit.

Global CDMOs Ramping Up ADC Capacity

Carbogen’s expansion is part of a broader industry trend. The company, which supports clients with process development, also operates in France, the U.K., the Netherlands, and China. This move aligns with a series of recent expansions across the ADC manufacturing sector.

For instance, in late 2024, fellow Swiss CDMO Lonza announced a similar initiative at its Visp site to support ADC production for a global biopharmaceutical partner. One month later, Lonza revealed plans to add two new manufacturing suites and create 200 new jobs to double its ADC production capacity.

Additionally, in 2023, AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo—the co-developers of the blockbuster ADC drug Enhertu—committed $1.5 billion and $1 billion respectively to build new ADC facilities. AstraZeneca’s site will be located in Singapore, while Daiichi’s plant is under development in Germany.