Chiesi Group, an international biopharmaceutical research company, has inaugurated the Biotech Center of Excellence, a state-of-the-art facility in Parma, Italy, dedicated to the development and production of monoclonal antibodies, enzymes, and other proteins.
The center is designed to integrate research and production activities in a single location to accelerate product development and enable an efficient transition from drug development to manufacturing.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the critical need for rapid and effective responses to global healthcare challenges,” said Giuseppe Accogli, CEO at Chiesi. “We recognise that the future of healthcare lies in our ability to innovate and adapt swiftly. Our new Biotech Center of Excellence will enable us to secure autonomous production capacity to safeguard the future of our patients and ensure that new therapies are developed and delivered efficiently.”
“By integrating research and production, we can accelerate the transition from clinical trials to commercial manufacturing, improving patient access to life-saving treatments. Our goal is to build a more sustainable and responsive healthcare infrastructure that can better withstand future global health challenges.”
The Biotech Center of Excellence will support the production of small and large batches of both experimental and approved drugs to facilitate a seamless transition from clinical trials to commercial manufacturing. The facility is intended to enhance Chiesi’s three focus areas: respiratory disease, special care treatments, and rare diseases.
Chiesi is investing nearly €400 million in the new center, including €120 million in infrastructure and €260 million that will be spent over the next six years on materials, innovative technologies, skill development, and training. By the end of 2025, the facility is expected to employ up to 200 specialists along with 80 workers in technical positions.
With this investment, Chiesi aims to contribute to building a more resilient and sustainable healthcare system in Europe, which is in need for skilling, R&D, overcoming regulatory barriers, and reducing its dependency on raw materials.
“At Chiesi, we firmly believe that innovation is the cornerstone of progress in healthcare. By allocating over 20% of our turnover to R&D, we are not only investing in the future of medicine but also in transforming patients' lives and addressing healthcare challenges worldwide,” said Accogli.
“Our new Biotech Center exemplifies this commitment, providing a state-of-the-art facility where groundbreaking therapies can be developed and brought to market more efficiently. This investment underscores our dedication to staying at the forefront of medical advancements and addressing high unmet medical needs in critical areas, such as rare diseases.”