WuXi AppTec, a company that provides R&D and manufacturing services, has commissioned two new peptide manufacturing plants, one at its Changzhou facility and another at the new Taixing site in China. The expansion increases the company’s Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS) total reactor volume to 32,000 liters, which aims to address increasing global demand for peptide therapeutics.
 
Both new peptide plants use digital operation systems with automated solvent delivery, which aims to optimize production consistency, minimize human errors, and reduce production cycle time.
 
The company’s WuXi TIDES CRDMO platform provides services for oligonucleotides, peptides, and conjugates, including both API and drug product from discovery to commercial stages. In 2023, WuXi TIDES supported about 50 preclinical to commercial stage peptide projects and produced more than 15 metric tons of peptide APIs and intermediates. With the newly expanded capacity, WuXi TIDES is poised to further support more peptide therapeutic development for clients.
 
The Taixing API production site  spans a total area of 169 acres and is designed to manufacture a range of synthetic molecules, including small molecules, peptides, oligonucleotides, and conjugates. The phase I construction includes nine plants with the total reactor volume exceeding 1,000 m³, including a dedicated plant for API clean rooms. This setup aims to enhance API manufacturing efficiency. Once phase I of the Taixing site is fully operational in 2025, the company’s total reactor volume for small molecule API and intermediate manufacturing will surpass 4,000 m³.
 
Dr. Minzhang Chen, Co-CEO of WuXi AppTec, said, “The launch of our new peptide manufacturing plants and the development of the new Taixing site are important milestones for WuXi AppTec. Our expanded capacity is essential for accelerating drug development and ensuring a reliable supply chain for our global partners. WuXi AppTec will continue to focus on enhancing our capability and capacity, accelerating innovative therapies to patients globally.”