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Hyderabad-based Cohance Lifesciences, a leading global Contract Research, Development & Manufacturing Organisation (CRDMO), has announced a strategic investment of $10 million to expand cGMP bioconjugation capabilities at its US based subsidiary, NJ Bio.
Aligned with the company’s long-term strategy, this investment advances Cohance’s global expansion in niche technology-led modalities, enhancing its ability to support innovators from early development through late-phase clinical supply.
The build-out of a state-of-the-art, cGMP compliant bioconjugation suite at NJ Bio’s Princeton, New Jersey facility significantly strengthens the company’s capabilities to deliver fully integrated Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) solutions - from early-phase payload-linker synthesis through to complete ADC manufacturing for clinical supply.
NJ Bio is currently executing a major new programme for an existing innovator customer with multiple ADC candidates in their pipeline. The engagement spans early-phase payload-linker development—already underway—and will advance to cGMP bioconjugation upon commissioning of the new suite. This collaboration underscores the customer’s confidence in NJ Bio’s ability to deliver complex chemistry solutions and end-to-end ADC manufacturing support for Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical studies.
The new suite, designed to handle high-potent drug substances, will have the flexibility to manufacture up to 2 kg of ADCs, sufficient for clinical requirements once the programme transitions to cGMP production in the expanded facility. The facility is expected to be operational by the end of Q4FY26, with related bioconjugation work commencing thereafter.
Beyond this, NJ Bio is in advanced discussions with three to four additional customers whose ADC programmes are expected to transition to cGMP manufacturing in alignment with the commissioning of the expanded suite. Recently NJ Bio has expanded its linker-payload capabilities with a dedicated lab, completing one GMP campaign with two more underway.
The global ADC market, valued in the billions, is experiencing robust growth driven by rising cancer incidence and increasing demand for targeted immuno-oncology therapies.
