ChengduApril 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — WuXi Biologics (2269.HK), a leading global Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO), today announced that the main structure of its microbial commercial manufacturing facility in Chengdu has been successfully completed, with key equipment arriving on site. This significant milestone marks steady progress toward the facility’s planned GMP production launch by the end of 2026.
The microbial manufacturing facility, located in Wenjiang District, Chengdu, began construction in June last year. Spanning approximately 95,000 square meters, it is dedicated to the production of biologics drug substance (DS) and drug product (DP). Next-generation therapies such as antibody-drug conjugates, cell therapies, bispecific/multispecific antibodies, and cancer vaccines utilize recombinant proteins including peptides, enzymes, antibody fragments, nanobodies, and cytokines. These recombinant proteins can be produced at scale through microbial fermentation technology, combined with corresponding downstream purification and formulation processes. With the continuous evolution of emerging biologic molecule types, microbial fermentation technology is being increasingly adopted, highlighting its advantages in yield, development speed, scalability, process consistency, and cost efficiency.
The WuXi Biologics microbial commercial manufacturing facility will be equipped with 15,000-liter fermenters, with an annual drug substance production capacity of up to 110 batches. Future maximum fermentation scale can be expanded to 60,000 liters. Additionally, the facility will house China’s first dual-chamber lyophilized drug product production line, built in collaboration with Visen Pharmaceuticals, along with a vial filling line. The annual drug product production capacity will exceed 10 million units, further expanding the company’s capabilities in complex formulation commercial manufacturing.
Notably, the facility fully integrates automation and digital systems across upstream and downstream production processes, supporting stable and reliable GMP manufacturing while enhancing compliance, operational efficiency, and data integrity. ESG principles have been systematically incorporated into the facility’s design, with green building practices such as sponge city design and photovoltaic (PV) panel applications to improve overall resource and energy efficiency.
Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics, stated: “The completion of the main structure at the Chengdu facility is a key step in advancing our microbial commercial manufacturing capabilities. This facility is designed to support efficient technology transfer and stable commercial supply, meeting the growing demand for microbial fermentation technology in emerging molecule types and advanced therapies. Combined with our R&D and clinical manufacturing capabilities in Shanghai and Hangzhou, WuXi Biologics can provide global innovative drug developers with end-to-end CRDMO services from strain development to commercial production.”
Leveraging the company’s proprietary E. coli expression system EffiX™, WuXi Biologics can achieve recombinant protein yields of up to 15 g/L and complete full CMC delivery from plasmid DNA to IND submission within six months. The WuXi Biologics microbial technology platform offers a multi-tiered, flexible capacity system supporting scale-up from 15 liters to 3,000 liters and 15,000 liters, precisely matching drug needs from preclinical and clinical stages through to commercialization. As of the end of 2025, the company’s integrated microbial fermentation platform has successfully supported the development and production of 128 molecules.
About WuXi Biologics
WuXi Biologics (Stock Code: 2269.HK) is a leading global Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO). Through its open-access, integrated biologics capabilities and technology platforms, the company provides comprehensive end-to-end services to help partners discover, develop, and manufacture biologics, from concept to commercial production, accelerating global biologics R&D, reducing costs, and benefiting patients worldwide.
Leveraging a global network spanning China, the United States, Ireland, Germany, and Singapore, WuXi Biologics brings together over 13,000 employees, including industry experts and scientists in biologics R&D and manufacturing, technological innovation, and operational excellence. With its leading technology platforms and deep expertise, the company offers efficient, cost-effective, and scalable biologics solutions precisely tailored to client needs at different stages. Additionally, the company systematically integrates digital capabilities and infrastructure across the full value chain of biologics R&D, lab operations, and manufacturing, transforming data, computing, and predictive capabilities into greater transparency in client collaboration, faster R&D processes, smarter operational management, and more efficient production delivery. As of December 2025, WuXi Biologics supported a total of 945 integrated projects for clients, including 74 Phase III and 25 commercial manufacturing projects, with complex molecule projects accounting for over 50% of the company’s total project portfolio.
WuXi Biologics views sustainable development as the cornerstone of long-term business growth. The company continuously promotes green innovation technologies, providing global partners with advanced end-to-end green CRDMO solutions while achieving outstanding ESG performance. Upholding the philosophy of creating shared value, the company collaborates with stakeholders to build a sustainable ecosystem, driving both social value and ecological benefits through responsible operational models, enabling synergistic empowerment across the full value chain.
For more information, please visit: www.wuxibiologics.com