Catalent to create European clinical manufacturing center of excellence in France

The $30 million investment will enable the site to handle large-molecule programs, with additional capacity for small molecule dosage form development.

The project is being supported by 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 with a grant of €1.3 million.

The company's Limoges site, which has been in operation for more than 40 years and employs in excess of 170 staff, will be fully modernized to handle large-molecule programs, with additional capacity for small molecule dosage form development.

The facility will work closely with Catalent’s other biologics sites in Anagni, Italy, Brussels, Belgium, Bloomington, Indiana and Madison, Wisconsin, to provide integrated clinical development and commercial manufacturing solutions.

Modernizing the 180,000-sq. ft facility will include installing an Optima high-speed flexible line capable of filling vials, syringes or cartridges under barrier isolator technology, as well as enhancements to its analytical and quality control laboratories, which will commence in September 2020, with completion anticipated in 2022.

Catalent also plans to gradually hire approximately 80 additional employees to support the new center of excellence and its updated capabilities.