Catalent Invests Millions to Create European Clinical Manufacturing Center of Excellence

Catalent has unveiled plans to invest US $30 million (EUR 27 million) to create a European center of excellence for clinical biologics formulation development and drug product fill/finish services at its facility in Limoges, France.

According to a July 21, 2020 press release, the project has gained support from the Prefecture of Haute-Vienne, the Metropolitan Area of Limoges, the Limoges Haute-Vienne Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Regional Council of Nouvelle Aquitaine through a grant worth EUR 1.3 million (US $1.5 million). The investment will see the Limoges site be fully modernized so that large molecule programs can be handled, in addition to extra capacity for small molecule dosage form development.

Modernization program includes the installation of an Optima high-speed flexible line capable of filling vials, syringes, or cartridges under barrier isolator technology, as well as enhancements to the analytical and quality control laboratories. Works on modernizing the Limoges site will start in September 2020 and are expected to be completed in 2022. Once complete, the Limoges site will work closely with Catalent’s other biologics facilities in Anagni, Italy; Brussels, Belgium; Bloomington, IN; and Madison, WI, to provide integrated clinical development and commercial manufacturing solutions.

“The European pharmaceutical market is thriving, and France is currently one of the top five producers in Europe. Our new center of excellence in Limoges will strengthen Catalent Biologics’ global and European capacities and our ability to bring new biologic treatments to market, faster,” said Mario Gargiulo, region president, Catalent Biologics Europe, in the press release. “We are grateful to the Regional Council of Nouvelle-Aquitaine for its support in making this exciting project possible.”

“From the outset, we supported this project to diversify Catalent's activities in Limoges. This world leader in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing is going to position the site in markets with higher added value,” added Alain Rousset, president of Region Nouvelle-Aquitaine, in the press release. “It is a great example of technological reconquest made possible thanks to the mobilization of the men and women in the company and the ecosystem of innovation that we are developing and encouraging in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. This project contributes to the development of our industrial capacities in the health sector.”

Source: Catalent