SK pharmteco plans to invest more than $200 million over five years to expand U.S. development and manufacturing capacity for small-molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients and peptides. The program is expected to create 100 long-term skilled jobs, the company said.
The investment includes new development laboratories for small molecules and peptides, which will support projects from early development through later stages. SK pharmteco also plans to expand peptide manufacturing with good manufacturing practice-scale capacity and liquid chromatography equipment for purification. The new peptide capacity is scheduled to begin operating in late 2026.
The company will build new manufacturing suites and upgrade existing GMP operations to handle demand for small-molecule APIs. The plan also includes spending on utilities, logistics, digital infrastructure and environmental technologies.
SK pharmteco recently invested $6 million at its California site to increase peptide development capabilities. The U.S. program also follows the opening of two manufacturing facilities at the company’s Ireland campus for commercial-scale small molecules and highly potent APIs, as well as a $260 million expansion in South Korea for small-molecule and peptide production.
The company operates manufacturing sites, research and development facilities, and analytical laboratories in the United States, Europe and South Korea. Its services cover small molecules, peptides and viral vectors.
Joerg Ahlgrimm, SK pharmteco’s chief executive, said the U.S. investment will expand domestic production capabilities for its pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients.