South Korea-based ST Pharm has successfully marked the completion of its groundbreaking ceremony, signaling a significant step forward in expanding its oligonucleotide manufacturing capacity and capabilities.

The current expansion is in response to the growing demand for oligonucleotide therapeutics, including ASO, siRNA, and CRISPR, and it is not only to increase the capacity from 6.4 mol to 14 mol, but also to enhance overall capabilities.

To diversify its operational scope, the new facility will be designed to accommodate different scales of production. Initially, it will introduce three new production lines, with capacities of 1.8 mol (large scale), 400 mmol (mid scale), and 100 mmol (small scale), and the facility has flexibility to add two more lines for future growth.

With a total investment of $110 million, the construction of the new oligonucleotide facility at ST Pharm Banwol Campus planned for completion in 2025 will cover approximately 3,300 squares meters (10,900㎡), standing at a height of 60 meters across 7 floors.

The state-of-the-art facility will harness automation and digitisation to streamline operations and leverage know-how that is already available for enhanced productivity, robustness, and agility resulting in reduced labor cost and improved overall cost-efficiency.  

Furthermore, the new facility will implement waste recycling, water-saving process, and introduce the new technologies that extend lifespan of filters, and energy-efficient technologies.