Bachem, the Swiss-based biotechnology and pharmaceutical company, began laying the foundations for its biggest production site so far. The plant, in Bubendorf, Switzerland, will expand Bachem’s manufacturing capacity and provide the world’s most modern facility for producing peptides and oligonucleotides by 2024.

This project will secure the leading position of the Bubendorf site as a centre of excellence for producing active pharmaceutical ingredients. Bachem will be able to increase its production in compliance with GMP standards and supply even more high-quality pharmaceutical ingredients to the global market. This move will also confirm the company’s commitment to its Swiss roots, creating 150 new highly skilled jobs in the first phase alone.

Bachem is responding to increases in demand for its products around the world by expanding its productive capability. The Bubendorf and Vionnaz sites in Switzerland have received an investment of more than 150 million Swiss francs, which has led to the creation of over 400 new jobs. With available land at the Bubendorf site likely to run out in the relatively near future, the hunt for a new Swiss site has begun.

The foundation stone at the new facility was laid on Switzerland’s National Future Day. Bachem marked this event by inviting young people along for educational visits, to tour the facility and participate in chemistry experiments in the training laboratory, with supervision from their apprentices.

Thomas Meier, CEO at Bachem, said:

“I am delighted that we are commencing the construction of our largest production plant to date on National Future Day. Today has a special symbolism for Bachem. We are a company with a long-term mindset. Our success is founded on our ability to invest into our company efficiently and with foresight, but also on the ability to excite new generations with the impact chemistry and the natural sciences can have.”