Rentschler Biotechnologie GmbH is expanding its facilities, buildings and laboratory units at the company’s site in Laupheim, Germany. This will increase production capacities for antibodies and mammalian cell culture-derived proteins. “By expanding our production capacity we will establish Rentschler Biotechnologie as a market supplier of antibodies,” said Dr. Nikolaus F. Rentschler, the company’s chief executive officer.

The Rentschler Group will invest $64 million in its biotechnology segment to build two fermentation suites with a total volume of 5,000 liters (2,500 L each) for market production and several smaller suites ranging from 250 to 500 liters for clinical supplies, creating more than 100 jobs. The first new production line will be operational early in 2008. In the future, 10 independent GMP facilities will be available for the production of biopharmaceuticals.

At its 3,500 square-meter facilities in Laupheim, the company currently has the capacity for manufacturing clinical supplies and market supply of low-dosed drugs. According to the company, by setting up additional fermenter suites, the Rentschler Group will strengthen its biotechnology business of custom manufacturing services from cell line development to large-scale cGMP production, registration of drugs and fill and finish.