ST Pharm is expanding its oligonucleotide manufacturing capacity with the addition of a new plant. Kris S. Choi, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Business Development, ST Pharm, provided an update at the DCAT Member Company Announcement Forum held on March 18th, 2024, at DCAT Week. 

ST Pharm, a South Korea-based small-molecule oligonucleotide & mRNA CDMO company, is expanding its oligonucleotide active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production capacity at its site in Bandola, South Korea, with a total investment of $110 million. The new plant is designed for overall oligo-related API manufacturing, such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), siRNA, and CRIPSR (sgRNA).

ST Pharm’s expansion is in response to the growing demand for oligonucleotide therapeutics in the gene-therapy field, and the new oligo plant is called “Oligo Plant 2.” According to the Phase 1 plan, this expansion will diversify the company’s overall capabilities and expand production capacity from 6.4 mole to 8.7 mole by 2025. In Phase 1, ST Pharm plans to introduce new equipment such as automation, process analytical technology (PAT), and liquid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis (LPOS). to Floor 1 to 5 of its Oligo Plant 2. Additionally, under the Phase 2 plan, by 2027, further production lines and capabilities are planned for Floor 6 to 7 of its Oligo Plant 2, and with further details to be determined depending on market demands around 2027. Overall, ST Pharm plans to invest USD $110 million in two phases in its Oligo Plant 2.

This expansion investment will provides ST Pharm with the flexibility of oligonucleotide production schedules and technological capabilities required for RNA therapeutics. ST Pharm has invested approximately $300 million in its CDMO capabilities since 2015, including the $110-million investment in this facility expansion for oligonucleotides.