UCB to increase Cimzia manufacturing capacity

UCB has commenced an expansion of its manufacturing facilities in order to meet rising levels of demand for its rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease treatment Cimzia.

The company is investing 250 million euros (212.4 million pounds) to construct a new in-house biotech microbial manufacturing unit in Bulle, Switzerland, which will become operational in 2015.

Michele Antonelli, executive vice-president responsible for technical operations, quality assurance and HSE for UCB, said it has chosen this site due to the cost-effective nature of the location.

He said this investment, in addition to the bio-pilot-plant currently under construction in Belgium, will help the company to deliver biological products more effectively.

"We want to be able to meet our projected future demand for 2015 and beyond for Cimzia by adding internal capacity to our existing capacities with our production partners," Mr Antonelli added.

Earlier this month, UCB optimised its manufacturing network further via the sale of several operations in Germany and Italy to Aesica.