A global pure-play CDMO specializing in the development and manufacture of small-molecule APIs and pharmaceutical intermediates, has approved an additional $17.5 million capacity expansion and containment capabilities at its Morton Grove, Illinois facility, bringing total announced investment at the site to $33 million.

The new $17.5 million investment, in addition to the $15.5 million program announced earlier this year, includes two new 500-gallon reactors, enhanced containment capabilities in the early-stage development laboratories, and a warehouse revamp. Together, these upgrades will increase flexibility in early development and expand manufacturing capacity as customer programs progress toward larger clinical and commercial requirements.

“This investment represents another important milestone in the transformation of the Morton Grove site into ESTEVE CDMO’s center of excellence for early-stage development and manufacturing in the US. All of this with the goal of better supporting our customers in their shared purpose of improving patients’ lives”, said Andrea Oro, Managing Director US and Global Head of Commercial Operations and Strategy, ESTEVE CDMO.

Morton Grove site combines process R&D, analytical and stability testing, cGMP API manufacturing and CMC support, enabling pharmaceutical and biotech customers to seamlessly progress from early development into manufacturing.

“This investment is giving our talented team the infrastructure and capabilities to perform at their best. By upgrading the Morton Grove site, we are enabling our people to fully leverage their expertise and deliver even greater value to our customers,” said Chen Qingguang, Morton Grove Site Director, ESTEVE CDMO.

The investment reinforces ESTEVE CDMO’s strategy to expand its U.S. presence while connecting customers to its broader global development and manufacturing network.