Axplora makes multi-million-euro investment in lyophilization at French site
Axplora, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) focused on complex small molecules and antibody-drug conjugates and headquartered in France, announced a multi-million-euro investment to expand lyophilization capabilities at its Le Mans, France site.
The investment is intended to add on-site commercial freeze-drying capabilities starting in early 2027, complementing the site’s existing research and development operations. The expansion is designed to support the isolation and handling of complex payload and linker intermediates where stability and safe handling are critical, the company said.
The Le Mans facility currently provides payload, linker and drug substance capabilities for antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) manufacturing. Axplora said the expansion is part of a broader multi-year €30 million investment program at the site, as well as more than €100 million invested across the company in 2025.
“ADC programs are racing against the clock, and our customers need partners they can rely on to deliver with speed, efficiency and consistency,” Axplora CEO Martin Meeson said in a statement. “This investment strengthens our ability to reduce complexity and risk for customers while supporting the rapid progression of complex ADC programs.”
Axplora also appointed François Houbart as head of the Le Mans site, effective Jan. 19, 2026. Houbart brings more than 20 years of experience in drug substance and drug product manufacturing, including roles in ADC operations, according to the announcement. He succeeds Rachel De Luca, who will move into the role of head of safety, health and environment for Axplora’s CDMO business unit.
“Our customers depend on us for reliability and execution,” Houbart said in a statement. “My focus is on strengthening operational excellence, maintaining uncompromising quality, and ensuring the Le Mans site consistently delivers for both clinical and commercial ADC programs.”