Cambrex has announced progress in its ongoing expansion initiatives in the United States and Europe, aimed at strengthening its capabilities in active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) development and manufacturing. In the United States, the company has completed initial engineering studies for a new large-scale API manufacturing facility in Charles City, Iowa. The project forms part of a previously announced investment of $120 million to expand domestic manufacturing capacity. Groundbreaking for the facility is expected to take place in late 2026.
The planned expansion will introduce approximately 140,000 liters of additional capacity, incorporating both large-scale and mid-scale reactors. The facility will also feature advanced equipment, including Hastelloy agitated filter dryers, along with upgrades to existing production infrastructure. Upon completion, the Charles City site is expected to see a 20 percent increase in large-scale manufacturing capacity.
The new facility is being designed to support complex chemistries, including highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients, controlled substances and liquid-phase peptide manufacturing at commercial scale. These capabilities are intended to meet increasing demand from pharmaceutical companies developing advanced therapies.
In Europe, Cambrex is investing $30 million to expand its operations in Milan, Italy. The project includes the addition of new analytical development laboratories and process research capabilities, along with enhancements to multiple production units. The expansion is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2027.
The Milan site, which has a long history in pharmaceutical manufacturing, continues to play a central role in Cambrex’s global operations. The company has also secured additional land in the region to support future growth and capacity expansion.
Cambrex provides contract development and manufacturing services across the full lifecycle of drug development, supported by expertise in areas such as continuous flow chemistry, peptide synthesis and solid-state science. With more than four decades of experience and a workforce exceeding 2,000 professionals, the company serves clients across North America and Europe. The ongoing investments reflect Cambrex’s focus on expanding its technical capabilities and manufacturing footprint to support the development of next-generation pharmaceutical products while maintaining high standards of quality and operational performance.
