SK Pharmteco, a pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) subsidiary of SK Group, has commenced operations at its plasmid GMP manufacturing facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The move accelerates its ambition to emerge as a leading CDMO capable of producing both synthetic and innovative biopharmaceuticals in the U.S. and Europe. The company expects to surpass annual revenues of $716 million.
On the 8th, SK Pharmteco announced the expansion of a state-of-the-art cGMP facility in King of Prussia, the heart of Philadelphia’s bio-cluster, to produce plasmids, a key raw material for cell and gene therapies (CGT). This is expected to be a “game changer” that will reshape the competitive landscape of SK’s bio CDMO business, a future growth driver for the group.
The newly opened plasmid production facility adds three grades of plasmid manufacturing capabilities to its existing four plasmid production lines. With two fill & finish facilities, contract analytical testing services, and in-house cGMP cell banks, the site now offers a “one-stop solution” covering everything from plasmid production to finished drug manufacturing and quality analysis.
The facility is seen as a pivotal step in elevating SK’s accumulated bio CDMO capabilities. As the cell and gene therapy market is poised for explosive growth, securing stable in-house production of plasmids—a critical raw material—will enhance cost competitiveness and enable a rapid supply chain.
Industry observers note that SK Pharmteco’s plasmid facility expansion carries significance beyond mere capacity growth. By addressing supply chain uncertainties that previously hindered CGT commercialization and potentially lowering treatment costs, the move has the potential to reshape the market.
With this expansion, SK Pharmteco has secured both cash cows—traditional synthetic chemical ingredients in powder or pill form—and future growth drivers in next-generation injectable CGT materials. According to global market research firm Frost & Sullivan, the CGT CDMO market is projected to reach $10.1 billion by 2026.
Joerg Ahlgrimm, CEO of SK Pharmteco, stated, “The cGMP plasmid production facility is a strategic investment demonstrating SK Pharmteco and SK Group’s strong commitment to the cell and gene therapy sector. With top-tier plasmid production capabilities, we will lead the global CGT market.”
Meanwhile, SK established SK Pharmteco in 2019 to consolidate its CDMO operations and acquired French CGT CDMO Yposkesi in 2021. The following year, it also became the largest shareholder of U.S.-based CGT CDMO CBM.
