SK pharmteco, a contract development and manufacturing organisation, has announced an investment of $260m to expand its small molecule and peptide production capabilities.

The investment is directed towards constructing a new facility in Sejong, South Korea, marking the company's fifth plant in the country.

Scheduled to begin operations in late 2026, the new facility will span 135,800ft² and feature eight production trains capable of producing tens of tonnes annually.

This expansion will bolster SK pharmteco's capacity to meet the increasing demand for quality peptides and small molecules, which are vital for numerous innovative therapies.

The investment also encompasses the development of advanced peptide research and development facilities, current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) kilo labs, and a CGMP pilot plant designed for the manufacturing of peptides. These additions will provide the flexibility to support both early-stage clinical and commercial production.

Furthermore, the investment plans include the construction of the shell for a sixth manufacturing plant, paving the way for swift capacity expansion in the future.

SK pharmteco CEO Joerg Ahlgrimm said: “This expansion is a testament to our unwavering dedication to serving the evolving needs of the life sciences industry.

“By investing in this new facility, we’re increasing our capacity in Asia in line with our global expansion strategy and solidifying our position as a trusted partner for companies developing groundbreaking treatments, demonstrating our adaptability and reliability in a rapidly changing industry.”

To support this growth, SK pharmteco intends to hire more than 300 new employees at the Sejong site.

The company entered into a memorandum of understanding with Rznomics last month to focus on the development and manufacturing of RNA-based gene therapies.