By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : June 10, 2026 6:47 pm
Strategic shift from Italy to India strengthens supply chain resilience, expands capacity and enhances sustainability for the growing global UDCA market
Axplora, a global manufacturer of small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), has announced the strategic consolidation of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) manufacturing at its Vizag facility in India.
The transition will see production move entirely from the company’s Gropello Cairoli site in Italy, part of its Farmabios business unit, by the end of 2026.
The move follows Axplora’s previously announced investment in expanding UDCA manufacturing capacity at its Vizag site, which operates under the PharmaZell business unit.
The expansion is designed to establish a fully integrated manufacturing platform encompassing bile sourcing through to final API production.
Manufacturing at the Vizag facility utilizes Axplora’s proprietary enzymatic “green chemistry” process, which reduces production steps and minimizes the use of solvents and reagents compared with traditional manufacturing methods.
The site also offers backward integration and complete traceability through controlled bile sourcing and integrated API manufacturing operations.
The facility has been awarded an EcoVadis Silver sustainability rating and operates using the same enzymatic production process and quality standards as the Gropello site. In addition, Vizag provides greater expansion potential, integrated operations and access to US FDA-approved infrastructure.
Martin Meeson, Chief Executive Officer of Axplora, said, “This decision reflects the strategic advantage of Axplora’s integrated global network and our ability to align investments with evolving customer needs. By consolidating UDCA manufacturing at Vizag, we are creating a more streamlined and scalable supply platform that strengthens resilience, simplifies operations and enhances service for customers worldwide.”
Anant Barbadikar, President – Operations, PharmaZell, said, “Our Vizag site has become an increasingly important strategic hub within Axplora’s global manufacturing network. This consolidation reflects the technical expertise, operational excellence and regulatory track record of our Indian teams.”