Cambrex, a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), announced the expansion of its Snapdragon Chemistry API facility in Waltham, Massachusetts, strengthening its capabilities in peptide drug development and manufacturing.

The facility’s footprint has grown by 20% with the addition of a new GMP manufacturing suite that includes an ISO-7 cleanroom for preparative HPLC chromatography and lyophilization, cold storage for raw materials, and a dedicated product storage suite. This expansion enables Snapdragon to support peptide programs from early development through GMP manufacturing using solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), liquid-phase peptide synthesis (LPPS), or hybrid approaches.

“Our strategy integrates SPPS for proof-of-concept, LPPS for process optimization and cost reduction, and ultimately large-scale manufacturing at facilities like Charles City, Iowa,” said Dr. Eric Fang, general manager at Snapdragon Chemistry.

Snapdragon’s LPPS platform uses conventional batch reactors and continuous flow, significantly reducing solvent use and reagent demand compared to standard SPPS. “SPPS is excellent for early-stage development, but LPPS enables scalability to treat large patient populations,” added Dr. Matt Bio, chief scientific officer, Cambrex.

The investment aligns with Cambrex’s broader R&D initiatives in complex modalities, including peptide innovation and the application of artificial intelligence in oligonucleotide process optimization.