Cambrex Unveils $120 Million Expansion Project in Charles City, Iowa

Cambrex Launches $120 Million Expansion in Charles City, Iowa

Cambrex, a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), has officially kicked off its ambitious $120 million expansion project at its facility in Charles City, Iowa. This major investment is a testament to Cambrex's commitment to enhancing its production capacity to support pharmaceutical innovations.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held on October 29, 2026, was attended by key company executives, local community members, and state officials, including Senator Chuck Grassley and Iowa's Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer. With this expansion, Cambrex intends to add an impressive 160,000 liters of production capacity, marking a substantial 25% increase in the site’s overall capacity, which will approach the one-million-liter mark.

This expansion will enable Cambrex to better support the development and commercial manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) focused on small molecules and synthetic peptides. The project is set for completion by the fourth quarter of 2028.

"This groundbreaking ceremony represents a significant step in our continued investment in American manufacturing and the Charles City facility," said Claudio Russolo, Cambrex’s Chief Operating Officer and incoming CEO. He highlighted that as the site commemorates its 100th anniversary, this expansion embodies its long-standing history and its pivotal role in Cambrex's future. "By scaling up our commercial production capabilities for small molecules and peptides, we’re improving our ability to partner with clients as they evolve their projects from development to commercialization."

Located in a historical facility that has been operational for a century, Cambrex's Charles City plant specializes in the development and manufacturing of API small molecules, synthetic peptides, and pharmaceutical intermediates. The infrastructure already in place at the site, coupled with the technical expertise of its workforce, will bolster the firm’s ability to meet its clients' growing demands.

Cambrex has built a reputation over the past 45 years as a premier CDMO with a global footprint. Employing a workforce of 2,000 experts, they deliver an extensive array of services encompassing the lifecycle of pharmaceutical development and manufacturing. This includes advanced capabilities in continuous flow production, controlled substances, peptide synthesis, solid-state science, biocatalysis, material characterization, complex compound synthesis, and the production of highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients (HPAPI).

The $120 million investment underscores Cambrex's commitment to expanding its production capabilities and enhancing its footprint in the pharmaceutical industry at a critical time when innovation is paramount. As pharmaceutical companies strive to bring new generics and complex molecules to market faster and more efficiently, Cambrex’s expanded capacity will enable it to continue to be a trusted partner in this critical journey.

About Cambrex

Cambrex is recognized as one of the leading global entities in the domain of contract development and manufacturing. The company specializes in providing comprehensive drug substance development and manufacturing services throughout various pharmaceutical product life cycles. With an experienced team and advanced technologies, Cambrex is dedicated to addressing the challenges of the ever-evolving pharmaceutical landscape.