Axplora is proud to unveil a transformative €35 million expansion at its Farmabios site in Gropello Cairoli, Italy, reinforcing the company’s longstanding commitment to serving the evolving needs of its customers through strategic investment and innovation.
The addition of 62,000 sqm of new development in 2026 will more than double the total footprint of the site to 108,000 sqm.
This will be more than ten times its original size Farmabios began commercial operations in 1968.
“This expansion is not just a matter of scale, it’s about shaping the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing,” said Mario Di Giacomo, Managing Director of Farmabios.
“We are investing with purpose to enhance our capabilities, support our partners and continue leading with innovation and integrity.”
This expansion follows a period of accelerated growth at Farmabios over the last five years, during which €45m has already been invested.
Key initiatives include the construction of a new micronisation department, expanded warehouse capacity and the RS40 building – a state-of-the-art unit purpose-built for the safe and efficient handling of High Potent APIs (HPAPIs).
Designed following the most stringent safety and containment standards, RS40 employs a comprehensive exposure control strategy, including a layout based on exposure zoning that ensures strict segregation of high-potency operations within dedicated suites.
The facility supports an Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) as low as 10 nanograms per cubic metre and complies fully with OEB5 containment criteria.
Its design incorporates stand-alone workshops and fully isolated process rooms to mitigate cross-contamination risks, offering maximum protection for both operators and products.
In addition, the micronisation rooms are equipped with isolators specifically designed for HPAPI processing, ensuring safe handling of potent compounds at every stage.
This period of investment has been matched by significant talent growth: between 2020 and 2024, Farmabios’ workforce nearly doubled, from approximately 150 to nearly 300 employees, reflecting the site’s strategic importance within Axplora’s global network.
This trend is likely to continue with the expansion of the site.
Building advanced capabilities for a dynamic future
Today, Farmabios is equipped with specialised facilities for cytotoxic and sterile processing, comprehensive R&D infrastructure, and robust supply chain and warehousing capabilities.
Its environmental performance continues to evolve with the integration of Regenerative Thermal Oxidisers (RTOs), supporting Axplora’s sustainability roadmap.
In 2024, these efforts were recognised with Platinum status from EcoVadis, placing the site among the top 1% of companies worldwide for sustainability performance.
The new greenfield expansion is designed to support the next generation of pharmaceutical manufacturing – with built-in flexibility, increased production efficiency and full alignment with global regulatory standards.
