Global contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) Cambrex has broken ground on a $120 million expansion of its Charles City, Iowa, facility, marking a major investment in US pharmaceutical manufacturing.

 

The project will add 160,000 litres of manufacturing capacity, increasing the facility's total capacity by approximately 25% to nearly one million litres. The expanded facility will strengthen Cambrex's ability to support the development and commercial-scale manufacturing of small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and synthetic peptides.

 

Construction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2028.

 

The groundbreaking ceremony brought together Cambrex executives, employees, state and local officials, and members of the Charles City community. The investment carries added significance as the facility marks its 100th anniversary, celebrating a century of pharmaceutical manufacturing operations.

 

“This groundbreaking marks an important milestone in our continued investment in U.S. manufacturing and in the Charles City site,” said Claudio Russolo, Chief Operating Officer and incoming Chief Executive Officer, Cambrex. 

 

"As the site celebrates its 100th anniversary, this expansion reflects both its long history and its continued importance to our future. By expanding commercial-scale capacity for both small molecule and peptide manufacturing, we are strengthening our ability to support customers as their programs advance from development through commercialization.”

 

The expansion builds on the Charles City facility's established manufacturing infrastructure and technical expertise, adding capacity to meet growing customer requirements.

 

The site currently provides development and manufacturing services for small molecule APIs, synthetic peptides and pharmaceutical intermediates, supporting pharmaceutical projects from clinical development through commercial-scale production.

 

With the latest investment, Cambrex is reinforcing the strategic importance of its US manufacturing operations while positioning its century-old Charles City facility for the next phase of growth.