Product News – Spring Edition Product News – Spring Edition
IPT highlights some of the most recent exciting advancements in pharmaceutical manufacturing

Biotium has announced the release of the ViaPlex 2-Color Cell Barcoding Kit. Combining fluorescent staining with two reactive dyes, the ViaPlex kit allows researchers to label and combine up to 15 distinct cell populations for multiplex analysis in a single tube, reducing reagent consumption and sample running time without compromising data quality. After barcoding with the ViaPlex Cell Barcoding Kit, labelled cell populations can be combined into a single tube for antibody staining and later distinguished during flow cytometry analysis. Biotium’s new kit contains two cell-permeant reactive fluorescent dyes, ViaPlex 405 Barcoding Dye for the 405 nm laser/Pacific Blue filter, and ViaPlex 488 Barcoding Dye for the 488 nm laser/FITC filter, used at different concentrations to generate a 15-plex barcoding matrix, with an optional 16th sample possible with compensation. The ViaPlex Cell Barcoding Kit expands Biotium’s portfolio of high-performance reagents for flow cytometry, providing researchers with a convenient and cost-effective solution for multiplex sample analysis and high-throughput experimental workflows.

DNA Script announced it has signed distribution agreements with Gencell, Bio-Medical Science Co and BioStream Co, expanding global access to the company’s SYNTAX platform for decentralised, in-house and on-demand oligonucleotide production. Under the agreements, Gencell will distribute SYNTAX across Latin America, Bio-Medical Science will cover South Korea and BioStream will support customers in Japan. This expansion supports DNA Script’s strategy to broaden global adoption of SYNTAX and enable researchers located far from major oligonucleotide production hubs in Europe and the US to access DNA more quickly and reliably. Each distributor is an established life and health sciences company with strong regional networks, enabling local access to DNA synthesis capabilities without reliance on overseas manufacturing. DNA Script’s automated, benchtop SYNTAX platform addresses challenges by enabling researchers to synthesise ssDNA oligonucleotides directly within the lab in only few hours, shifting the model from centralised supply chains to local DNA production and ensuring geography does not determine scientific speed.

Axplora announced a major milestone in its $60m investment programme in highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredient (HPAPI) manufacturing at its Farmabios site in Gropello Cairoli, Italy. The latest phase includes construction of a new 4,500m², three-storey R&D and lab hub, designed to accelerate development, expand execution capacity and deliver cost-efficient high-potency manufacturing at scale. The new facility will house state-of-the-art R&D labs, quality control laboratories, microbiology laboratories and integrated support areas, directly connected to existing manufacturing operations.
Co-locating development, analytics and large-scale HPAPI production within a single specialised site eliminates multi-site delays, improves scale-up efficiency and enhances overall programme economics. Once operational, the new facility will increase development and analytical throughput, reduce technology transfer complexity and compress timelines from early development to commercial production. Construction is underway, with completion targeted for February 2027.

Optibrium announced a new quantitative surface-field analysis (QuanSA) plugin for PyMOL, providing an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) for its ligand-based binding affinity prediction method, part of the company’s BioPharmics 3D molecular modelling platform. The new interface facilitates chemists’ access to accurate affinity predictions that guide the design of potent compounds, and reduces the synthesis and testing burden in lead optimisation. QuanSA is a differentiated and validated method that predicts the affinity of a potential drug molecule for its biological target. Originally developed as a command-line tool for expert computational users, QuanSA is now accessible to the wider chemistry community as a new PyMOL plugin. The plugin’s clear visualisations identify the key interactions that drive molecular affinity, providing essential insights that enable users to optimise the potency of their molecules. The QuanSA plugin follows the recent introduction of a PyMOL interface for Surflex-Dock2, Optibrium’s molecular docking method, and reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to make sophisticated 3D modelling methods more accessible. The command-line interface will continue to be fully supported for expert users and large-scale screening applications.

UCB have announced a new biologics facility in Gwinnett County, GA, US. As innovative medicines reach more patients, the path forward includes expanded manufacturing capacity in the US, with the new biologics facility designed to meet increasing demand and ensure patients receive reliable, timely access to vital treatments. The Georgia facility will complement its global network and strengthen partnerships, including its US-based contract manufacturing organisation (CMO) network. This approach boosts its ability to deliver at scale without compromising on quality.
Spanning 460,000 square feet on 79 acres, the site will serve as a cornerstone of its biologics network, with robust infrastructure and an expert team. By weaving in artificial intelligence, robotics and smart resource management, its digital-first approach not only strengthens efficiency and sustainability, but also reflects its shared pride in building a truly resilient supply chain. By opening this new campus, it will create around 330 permanent, skilled jobs in biologics manufacturing and more than 1,000 construction jobs. Together, the company is supporting a growing workforce and generating an estimated $5bn in economic impact for the area.

Capricorn Scientific has expanded its European footprint with a new 4,000m² logistics and infrastructure hub in Ebsdorfergrund, Germany, designed to strengthen supply security, scalability and long-term partnerships in regulated life sciences markets. Strategically located near Marburg and Frankfurt am Main, with fast access to Frankfurt International Airport, the site enables efficient national and global distribution of cell culture products. The expansion is designed to reduce supply chain risk while enabling predictable, long-term growth across biotech, pharma, diagnostics and cell therapy markets. Built for performance and growth, the facility features a modern, modular layout with optimised truck access, multiple loading docks and clearly separated logistics zones for smooth, high-throughput operations. Expanded temperature-controlled storage (+2 to +8°C, -20°C, and humidity-controlled room temperature) ensures reliable handling of sensitive products, even during demand peaks. Further expansion is already underway, with planned additions for liquid bag filling, scaled powder production and dedicated R&D space, creating a future-ready platform from logistics to production and innovation.