Catalent has unveiled plans to expand its Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone (FTZ) facility in Shanghai, China, to increase capacity for temperature-controlled storage and distribution of clinical supplies, as well as additional secondary packaging capabilities.

The facility will be expanded by approximately 30,000 square feet (approximately 2,800 square meters), which will double the clinical storage capacity and allow the installation of additional refrigerated (between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius) and deep-frozen (between minus 70 and minus 90 degrees Celsius) storage. The expansion and commissioning are expected to be completed by mid-2022 and will create over 100 new jobs.

“We have seen great demand for clinical supply services in China from international sponsors looking to conduct trials in the region and seeking Catalent’s experience in providing reliable, flexible, and integrated support,” said Roel de Nobel, vice president and general manager, APAC, clinical supply services, Catalent. “This expansion will increase both capacity and capabilities at the Shanghai FTZ facility, and makes provision for the growing trend in clinical trials of advanced therapeutics requiring specialized storage and handling capabilities, including deep-frozen for emerging biotech companies.”

The Waigaoqiao facility is one of two clinical supply facilities that Catalent operates in Shanghai, the other being located in Tangzhen, outside the FTZ. Together, they provide sponsors with optimized supply solutions for studies being undertaken in China, and through Catalent’s extensive network, the Asia-Pacific region and globally, including clinical supply management, comparator sourcing, FastChain demand-led supply, primary and secondary packaging, storage, and global distribution, as well as clinical returns and destruction.