Axplora is proud to unveil a transformative €35 million expansion at its Farmabios site  in Gropello Cairoli, Italy, reinforcing the company’s longstanding commitment to serving the  evolving needs of its customers through strategic investment and innovation. This latest  investment builds on the €45 million already committed over the past five years, bringing Axplora’s  total recent investment in Farmabios to over €80 million.  

The addition of 62,000 square meters of new development in 2026 will more than double the total  footprint of the site to 108,000 square meters. This will be more than ten times its original size  Farmabios began commercial operations in 1968.  

“This expansion is not just a matter of scale, it’s about shaping the future of pharmaceutical  manufacturing,” said Mario Di Giacomo, Managing Director of Farmabios. “We are investing with  purpose: to enhance our capabilities, support our partners, and continue leading with innovation  and integrity.”  

This expansion follows a period of accelerated growth at Farmabios over the last five years, during  which €45m has already been invested. Key initiatives include the construction of a new  micronisation department, expanded warehouse capacity, and the RS40 building – a state-of-the art unit purpose-built for the safe and efficient handling of High Potent APIs (HPAPIs).  

Designed in accordance with the most stringent safety and containment standards, RS40 employs  a comprehensive exposure control strategy, including a layout based on exposure zoning that  ensures strict segregation of high-potency operations within dedicated suites. The facility  supports an Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) as low as 10 nanograms per cubic meter and  complies fully with OEB5 containment criteria. Its design incorporates stand-alone workshops and  fully isolated process rooms to mitigate cross-contamination risks, offering maximum protection for  both operators and products. In addition, the micronisation rooms are equipped with isolators  specifically designed for HPAPI processing, ensuring safe handling of potent compounds at every  stage.  

This period of investment has been matched by significant talent growth: between 2020 and 2024,  Farmabios’ workforce nearly doubled, from approximately 150 to nearly 300 employees, reflecting  the site’s strategic importance within Axplora’s global network. This trend is likely to continue with the expansion of the site. 

“The Farmabios site reflects Axplora’s commitment to being a proactive, science-led, and  sustainable partner,” said Martin Meeson, CEO of Axplora. “Every investment we make is guided by  the ambition to deliver greater value to our customers, while raising the bar in reliability, speed and  efficiency.”  

Building Advanced Capabilities for a Dynamic Future  

Today, Farmabios is equipped with specialized facilities for cytotoxic and sterile processing,  comprehensive R&D infrastructure, and robust supply chain and warehousing capabilities. Its  environmental performance continues to evolve with the integration of Regenerative Thermal  Oxidizers (RTOs), supporting Axplora’s sustainability roadmap.  

In 2024, these efforts were recognized with Platinum status from EcoVadis, placing the site among  the top 1% of companies worldwide for sustainability performance.  

The new greenfield expansion is designed to support the next generation of pharmaceutical  manufacturing – with built-in flexibility, increased production efficiency, and full alignment with  global regulatory standards.  

This milestone represents far more than physical expansion. It signals Axplora’s ongoing  momentum as a trusted, innovative, and growth-focused partner to the world’s leading  pharmaceutical companies. Building on recent strategic investments of €50 million in Mourenx and  €8 million in Le Mans, the Farmabios investment further strengthens Axplora’s manufacturing  network. As customer needs evolve, Axplora continues to invest decisively in the capacity, talent,  and infrastructure that will define the future of API manufacturing.