Constructed is expected to be completed on two new PSD-4 units that will expand Lonza’s US-based capacity for spray-dried dispersions, as drug developers face increasing formulation and bioavailability challenges.

Lonza said demand for contract development and manufacturing services involving spray-dried dispersions has increased alongside the number of poorly soluble compounds entering development. The new Bend facility will give customers access to commercial-scale spray-drying capacity in the US, complementing Lonza’s existing development capabilities. The company plans to support programs across both clinical development and commercial manufacturing.

“Advanced particle engineering technologies are becoming increasingly important as the complexity of drug molecules continues to rise,” says Christian Seufert, head of Advanced Synthesis at Lonza. He notes that Lonza’s Bend team has extensive experience in spray-drying and said the new investment will expand the site’s ability to support customers as programs progress toward commercialization.

Lonza said the facility will be configured to accommodate further capacity additions as demand develops. Supporting systems will include infrastructure for solvent management and storage. The project will also incorporate energy-efficient utility and process systems alongside upgraded emissions-control technologies. Those features are intended to reduce the facility’s overall energy requirements while supporting large-scale commercial production.

The project reflects Lonza’s broader focus on expanding its US manufacturing presence. For pharmaceutical companies developing therapies for the US market, additional domestic manufacturing capacity can provide greater proximity to customers and help reduce reliance on geographically concentrated supply networks.

Lonza CEO Wolfgang Wienand says the company expects the US to remain an important source of pharmaceutical innovation and a key market for its CDMO business. “By significantly expanding our commercial-scale spray-drying capabilities, we strengthen a technology that can fundamentally improve the delivery and bioavailability of medicines.”

The company said the expanded Bend operation will provide an integrated pathway from development to commercial production. In addition to small-molecule programs, Lonza’s broader offering encompasses other modalities, including biologics and mRNA.

To find out more, visit: Lonza Spray-Dried Dispersion Technology.