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Cambrex Expands Peptide Manufacturing Capacity in Waltham, Massachusetts

In a significant move to bolster its capabilities in the pharmaceutical industry, Cambrex, a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), has announced the expansion of its peptide manufacturing facilities in Waltham, Massachusetts. This initiative, driven by its subsidiary Snapdragon Chemistry, seeks to enhance the development and production of peptide therapies, thereby responding to the growing demand for advanced drug solutions.

The newly upgraded Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility reflects a 20% increase in operational space and features state-of-the-art additions, such as an ISO-7 cleanroom dedicated to preparative High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and lyophilization processes, cold storage for raw materials, and product storage areas. With this substantial investment, Snapdragon Chemistry is now better equipped to support projects spanning from the initial stages of peptide development through to GMP production using various methodologies, including Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS) and Liquid Phase Peptide Synthesis (LPPS).

Dr. Eric Fang, CEO of Snapdragon Chemistry, outlined the strategic vision behind this facility, emphasizing a three-step approach to developing peptide drug candidates. "We start with automated SPPS technology for proof-of-concept testing. Simultaneously, we optimize the process with LPPS technology to accelerate development and reduce manufacturing costs. Ultimately, we can transition the process to our larger production facilities, such as the one in Charles City, Iowa, allowing for the manufacturing of materials in conventional large-batch reactors, significantly lowering the costs associated with these drugs."

Snapdragon's LPPS technology employs traditional batch API reactors and continuous flow systems, thereby reducing dependency on specialized solid-phase reactors. This innovation leads to a substantial decrease in solvent usage and the need for additional reagents compared to standard solid-phase peptide synthesis processes.

Dr. Matt Bio, the Chief Scientific Officer at Cambrex, underscored the relevance of SPPS in the early development phases. He stated, "While SPPS is undeniably useful, especially in the initial stages of development for quickly reaching clinical practice and proof of concept, it's not scalable for supplying a large patient population. Our LPPS process is designed to leverage Cambrex's impressive 1.4 million liters of capacity to manage peptide therapies effectively."

Continually committed to innovation, Cambrex is investing further in research and development in complex synthetic modalities, with a particular focus on advancing peptide manufacturing techniques and exploring the applications of artificial intelligence in optimizing oligonucleotide processes.

About Snapdragon Chemistry

Snapdragon Chemistry specializes in the development of continuous flow and batch processes for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Utilizing cutting-edge automation technology and proprietary equipment, the company addresses complex analytical and process development challenges. With its R&D and manufacturing base in Waltham, Massachusetts, Snapdragon employs over 70 professionals, including 31 PhD scientists, who maintain strong partnerships with the local scientific community.

About Cambrex

As a leader in the global CDMO landscape, Cambrex provides comprehensive drug development and manufacturing solutions throughout the entire lifecycle of pharmaceutical products. Backed by over 40 years of experience and a workforce of 2,000 experts, Cambrex serves clients across North America and Europe. The company boasts specialized technologies and capabilities in pharmaceuticals, including continuous flow processes, controlled substances, solid-state science, material characterization, and potent APIs.