New PSD-4 facility creates a global manufacturing hub for commercial spray-drying, addressing rising demand for bioavailability enhancement solutions across small molecules, biologics and mRNA modalities.
Contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) Lonza is expanding its manufacturing footprint in the US by investing in a new large-scale PSD-4 spray-drying facility in Bend, Oregon.
Increasing complexity of molecules in the sector has led to a “significant share” in the clinical pipeline requiring bioavailability enhancement, according to Lonza. The firm’s investment therefore helps to address the subsequent growth in market demand for CDMO solutions for spray-dried dispersions (SDDs).
The new facility—which will create over 80 new jobs—will provide complete, end-to-end development and manufacturing SDDs solutions for small molecules and other modalities, including biologics and mRNA.
This includes two state-of-the-art PSD-4 spray-drying units, as well as upgraded infrastructure for solvent handling and storage. Sustainability is also a core focus, with the site set to feature energy-efficient utility and process systems and enhanced emission control technologies.
“By significantly expanding our commercial-scale spray-drying capabilities, we strengthen a technology that can fundamentally improve the delivery and bioavailability of medicines”
Wolfgang Wienand, Chief Executive Officer, Lonza
Wolfgang Wienand, Chief Executive Officer, Lonza, said: “By significantly expanding our commercial-scale spray-drying capabilities, we strengthen a technology that can fundamentally improve the delivery and bioavailability of medicines. With this, our world-class particle engineering team in Bend will be even better able to support our customers in turning their breakthrough innovations into viable products and to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow.”
On a broader scale, Lonza noted that expansion of its commercial scale spray-drying capabilities supports more resilient, regionalised supply chains for critical therapies.
The new facility is expected to be finalised in 2029.
While the present investment focuses on growing capacity in the US, in July Lonza cultivated its European operations, at it’s facility in Visp, Switzerland, capitalising on the increasing complexity of molecules. Christian Seufert, Head of Advanced Synthesis, Lonza explained at the time that “the rapid growth of the ADC market is driving increasing demand for highly complex payload-linkers that require advanced manufacturing capabilities.”
Last month, Genentech announced an investment in its manufacturing capabilities in Oregon, US. A commitment of $750 million will double the size of the existing fill-finish facility at the firm’s Hillsboro, Oregon campus.
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