News

New facility enhances the Company’s drug substance process R&D capacity to drive innovation across all synthetic modalities and meet growing global demand.

WuXi AppTec announces the recent opening of its new R&D center in Changzhou, China, significantly expanding its capabilities in developing advanced therapies covering small molecules, oligonucleotides, and peptides as well as complex synthetic conjugates. This 33-acre center of excellence offers a flexible design, strengthening the Company’s drug substance process research and development service offerings with increased capacity and accelerated timelines, while reducing costs and environmental impact.

Strategically located just 15 minutes from our existing Changzhou API manufacturing site, the new R&D Center is a critical R&D hub for both WuXi STA, the Company’s small molecule CRDMO platform, and WuXi TIDES, which delivers oligonucleotide and peptide CRDMO services. The proximity facilitates seamless collaboration between R&D and manufacturing; the Center’s state-of-the-art capabilities integrate process R&D and analytical services to support projects from preclinical through commercialization.

Designed with six R&D buildings, upon full operation, the Center will accommodate approximately 3,000+ scientists with 170+ specialized laboratories.

The first operational building, dedicated to API development for oligonucleotides, peptides, and complex synthetic conjugates, spans over 160,000 square feet. Its innovative design specifically supports development for “TIDES” Drugs with features such as specialized solvent pipelines, reclaimed process water systems, and infrared-activated fume hoods to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and safety. Currently, the first operational building houses 500 scientists. It offers a comprehensive suite of services with most advanced process and analytical technologies all designed to meet the complex demands of oligonucleotide and peptide drug development. The modular lab integrates essential workflows with latest digitalization and automation controls to achieve faster data turnaround and higher efficiency.

“This new facility reinforces our ongoing commitment to supporting customers as they advance global health,” said Dr. Minzhang Chen, Co-CEO of WuXi AppTec. “By strengthening our end-to-end CRDMO capabilities for all synthetic modalities, we further empower our partners with comprehensive solutions from discovery through commercialization, and a faster, more streamlined pathway to market. Together, we’re dedicated to accelerating more innovative therapies to patients worldwide.”

First operational building dedicated to API development for oligonucleotides, peptides, and complex synthetic conjugates.

Rendering of the 33-Acre R&D Center Campus in Changzhou, China