Contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Recipharm will invest €3.7 million to expand its lyophilization capacity in Masate, Italy, in response to growing customer demand. 

The investment forms part of Recipharm’s strategy to become a leading lyophilization provider, and is in addition to the ongoing investment at Recipharm in Wasserburg, Germany, where a further €32 million is currently being spent to increase capacity.

Specializing in aseptic manufacturing and filling of parenterals, Recipharm in Masate, located close to Milan, offers lyophilization capabilities in both vials and ampoules. The investment will see the introduction of a new lyophilizer for vials, bringing the total number of machines from five to six and increasing the facility’s capacity by approximately 20%.

The new machine will allow the CDMO to support more drug developers with their stability challenges and meet growing demand for its lyophilization services, particularly in Europe, China and Japan.

“We are experiencing greater demand for lyophilization capabilities from our customers, ranging from some of the largest pharmaceutical companies to small and mid-sized firms,” said Giorgio Bruno, general manager, Recipharm. “As we continue to receive more requests from existing customers and new enquiries from drug developers in new territories, we needed to increase our capacity.”