Supplier News: Solvias, Upperton & Rentschler Biopharma
The latest from CDMOs, CMOs, and suppliers featuring Solvias, Upperton Pharma and Rentschler Biopharma.
Biologics Manufacturing
* Solvias Opens Center of Excellence for Cell- & Gene-Therapies
* Rentschler Biopharma Exiting Cell & Gene Therapy Segment
Formulation Development/Drug Product Manufacturing
* Upperton Pharma Completes Build of $8.7-M Sterile Mfg Facility
Biologics Manufacturing
Solvias Opens Center of Excellence for Cell- & Gene-Therapies
Solvias, a Kaiseraugst, Switzerland-based provider of chemistry, manufacturing, and control (CMC) analytics, has announced the opening of a Center of Excellence for Biologics and Cell and Gene Therapy in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
Spanning 50,000 square feet, the new center is Solvias’ flagship North American site for large-molecule analytical services, and the center is being rolled out in two phases:
- Phase 1: A 20,000-square-foot space for cGMP release testing—featuring cell-based potency and molecular assays—operational immediately.
- Phase 2: An additional 30,000 square feet expected to open in July 2025, offering expanded capabilities for stability testing and advanced biophysical characterization.
The new center offers GMP testing for cell and gene therapies, monoclonal antibodies, and other biologics, from preclinical stages to commercial release. Solvias’ new center expands its global footprint to six centers of excellence and marks the company’s second site in North America.
The company expects that the facility will bring approximately 200 new jobs to the Raleigh-Durham area over the next three years.
Source: Solvias
Rentschler Biopharma Exiting Cell & Gene Therapy Segment
Rentschler Biopharma, a Laupheim, Germany-based CDMO of biologics, has announced a realignment of its global business operations as part of a long-term strategic shift, which includes withdrawing from the field of cell and gene therapy and ceasing operations at its Stevenage, UK site, and increasing its focus on biologics.
“The cell and gene therapy market has experienced slower-than-expected growth, with demand across the industry not meeting our expectations,” said Benedikt von Braunmühl, CEO of Rentschler Biopharma, in a January 30, 2025, statement. “Following a comprehensive strategic review, we are focusing our efforts on areas where we see the greatest demand and potential to create value sustainably. Biologics remain central to our operations while we continue to evaluate other potential modalities…”.
Source: Rentschler Biopharma
Formulation Development/Drug Product Manufacturing
Upperton Pharma Completes Build of $8.7-M Sterile Mfg Facility
Upperton Pharma Solutions, a Nottingham, UK-based CDMO of drug products, has completed the build of its new sterile manufacturing facility in Nottingham, UK.
The new 7,000-square-foot facility is in addition to its existing 50,000-square-foot facility, Trent Gateway, and has been designed specifically in line with the revised EU GMP Annex-1 regulations. The new facility will support the manufacturing of aseptic and terminally sterilized small-volume liquids and powders for parenteral, nasal, and pulmonary delivery.
The new facility has the capability to support formulation development, clinical manufacture and analytical testing, with batch sizes of up to 2,000 vials, pre-filled syringes and pre-filled cartridges for liquid formulations and pre-sterilized powders. The sterile facility will feature two cleanrooms with advanced vaporized hydrogen peroxide isolation technology and carry out GMP manufacturing of sterile drug products.
Source: Upperton Pharma Solutions