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Cambrex Expands Peptide Production Facilities in Waltham, Massachusetts

Cambrex, a prominent player in the contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) sector, has revealed an expansion at its Snapdragon Chemistry site located in Waltham, Massachusetts. This strategic enhancement aims to bolster the facility's production of pharmaceutical active ingredients (APIs), particularly those related to peptide therapies. The expansion is critical as the pharmaceutical landscape increasingly relies on peptides for their therapeutic benefits.

New Facility Features

The new production facility increases the site’s footprint by 20%, with the addition of a state-of-the-art ISO 7 cleanroom designed specifically for preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and lyophilization processes. In addition, this facility includes cold storage for raw materials and a dedicated product storage unit, enhancing the site’s overall capabilities.

With this investment, Snapdragon Chemistry can now offer comprehensive support for peptide projects, ranging from initial development phases to GMP-compliant manufacturing. The facility will leverage both solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and liquid-phase peptide synthesis (LPPS) technologies, including hybrid approaches to optimize efficiency and reduce costs.

A Three-Phase Development Strategy

Dr. Eric Fang, the Managing Director at Snapdragon Chemistry, elaborated on the facility's purpose, stating that it follows a three-tiered strategy for peptide drug candidate development. This strategy includes:

• - Automated SPPS Technology for proof of concept during the early stages.
• - LPPS Technology Optimization to accelerate development while minimizing production costs.
• - Large-Scale Production Readiness to transition processes to larger facilities, such as the one in Charles City, Iowa, for high-volume production.

This approach ensures that the entire production process from feasibility to large-scale manufacturing is meticulously planned and executed.

Benefits of LPPS Technology

The liquid-phase peptide synthesis technology employed by Snapdragon diverts from traditional solid-phase approaches, relying instead on conventional API batch reactors and continuous flow systems. This not only leads to a significant reduction in solvent usage but also minimizes the demands for excess reagents compared to standard solid-phase peptide synthesis methods.

Dr. Matt Bio, the Scientific Leader at Cambrex, acknowledges that while SPPS is effective for early development, it lacks scalability for providing large quantities of treatment to patients. He explained that the design of the LPPS process leverages the full capacity of Cambrex’s resources, which totals an impressive 1.4 million liters.

Ongoing Research and Development Initiatives

Continuing its commitment to innovation, Cambrex plans to further invest in R&D for complex synthetic methods. This includes additional advancements in peptide manufacturing and exploring how artificial intelligence can enhance oligonucleotide processes. Such research initiatives are vital for sustaining competitive advantages in the rapidly evolving pharmaceutical marketplace.

About Snapdragon Chemistry

Snapdragon Chemistry operates under the Cambrex umbrella and specializes in developing batch and continuous processes for pharmaceutical APIs. Utilizing advanced automation and proprietary technology, they tackle complex challenges in process and analytical development. Based in Waltham, Massachusetts, the company is home to over 70 employees, including 31 PhD scientists, who are deeply connected to the local scientific community.

About Cambrex

As a veteran in the CDMO field, Cambrex has over 40 years of experience in drug substance development and manufacturing, supplying global clients across North America and Europe. With a dedicated team of 2,000 professionals, Cambrex offers a wide range of specialized technologies, from continuous flow to high-potency APIs, confirming its status as a leader in the industry.