Celltrion has announced a massive expansion across three of its major facilities in South Korea and the United States, aiming for a total drug substance (DS) capacity of 570,000 liters. This strategic move is designed to stabilize global supply chains, mitigate risks from U.S. tariff policies, and meet surging international demand. By 2031, the company expects to internalize 100% of its drug substance production and 90% of its drug product (DP) manufacturing.
Songdo Expansion: Creating a "Smart Factory" Hub
Celltrion will invest 1.2265 trillion won through 2030 to simultaneously expand Plants 4 and 5 at its Songdo campus. This project will add 180,000 liters of capacity, bringing the total domestic DS output to 430,000 liters.
The new facilities will integrate advanced automation and smart factory technologies to maximize operational flexibility. This infrastructure is designed to support a "two-track" manufacturing strategy, capable of handling everything from high-volume mass production to small-batch, multi-product runs for follow-on pipeline products.
New Jersey Expansion: A Strategic U.S. Supply Hub
In a revised regulatory filing, Celltrion also confirmed a significant scale-up of its Branchburg plant in New Jersey. Originally planned as a two-phase expansion totaling 66,000 liters, the project has been consolidated into a single expansion of 75,000 liters.
Once completed, the New Jersey facility will reach a total capacity of 141,000 liters. This plant is expected to serve as a pivotal supply hub for the North American market, providing a buffer against trade risks and acting as a center for both proprietary products and contract manufacturing (CMO) operations.
Strengthening Drug Product (DP) Internalization
Beyond raw drug substances, Celltrion is aggressively expanding its finished drug product (DP) capabilities:
Songdo Campus: A new DP facility is currently over 70% complete and is expected to produce 6.5 million liquid vials annually starting next year.
Yesan Industrial Complex: Site selection for a new domestic DP plant has been finalized, with design work beginning this year.
Prefilled Syringes (PFS): The company is also planning an expansion of Celltrion Pharm’s PFS production lines.
These combined efforts will secure a domestic manufacturing capacity of 10.5 million vials per year, drastically reducing the cost of goods sold.
A Vision for a Top-Tier Global Infrastructure
With a goal of launching an average of two to three new products annually—totaling more than 30 biosimilars over the next decade—Celltrion is building the infrastructure to match its ambitions.
"This investment decision will enable us to respond quickly to surging global demand while significantly improving profitability," a Celltrion official stated. By encompassing both novel drugs and a robust CMO business, Celltrion aims to cement its status as a top-tier global biopharmaceutical leader.
