From mRNA to ADCs: PCI Bets Big on Biotech Boom

Pharma firm PCI buys Althea site to boost US production of next-gen injectables like ADCs and mRNA therapies.

9 May 2025

PCI Pharma Services has acquired a sterile manufacturing facility in San Diego from Ajinomoto, marking the company’s first US-based site for prefilled injectable drug formats. The move strengthens PCI’s capabilities in biologics and supports its strategy to serve growing demand for complex therapies developed in North America.

The site, formerly operated by Ajinomoto Althea, specialises in aseptic fill-finish services for injectable drugs. It includes capabilities for prefilled syringes and cartridges, as well as for handling potent biologics such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). These formats are increasingly used for advanced therapies, including mRNA-based vaccines and gene treatments.

“This is about readiness for tomorrow’s therapies,” said a PCI spokesperson. “Developers need reliable, scalable fill-finish solutions near their innovation centers. This facility delivers exactly that.”

The acquisition was finalised in April and is seen by analysts as a timely response to rising demand for domestic, specialist pharmaceutical manufacturing. While PCI has a global network of sites, the San Diego location provides West Coast access and close proximity to many of the US’s largest biotech hubs.

“This acquisition checks all the strategic boxes: West Coast access, cutting-edge biologics infrastructure, and the scale to meet urgent demand,” said one industry analyst.

PCI’s move also aligns with a broader industry trend toward regionalised production. Drugmakers are seeking to reduce reliance on global supply chains by investing in local capacity, particularly for complex manufacturing processes that require high levels of quality control.

With the injectable drug market expected to expand significantly in the coming years, PCI joins companies such as Catalent and Thermo Fisher in building out US-based infrastructure. The San Diego site is expected to be integrated into PCI’s network in the coming months.

The company said the facility would support its focus on providing flexible and rapid solutions to pharmaceutical clients, particularly those developing biologics and personalised therapies.