Boehringer Ingelheim started the construction of a new 285 million euro ($315 million) plant at its German headquarters that will produce active pharmaceutical ingredients and drugs for clinical trials.

The Chemical Innovation Plant is expected to begin operating in 2026 at Boehringer’s base in Ingelheim, Germany.

The facility is part of the drugmaker’s goal to secure long-term capacity for manufacturing new chemical entities. Biopharmaceuticals and small molecules account for about half of Boehringer’s research pipeline, the company noted.

Boehringer's new plant will fill a manufacturing gap between the company's smaller pilot plants in Biberach, Germany, and Ridgefield, Connecticut, and the commercial production of APIs for marketed products in Ingelheim.

When completed, the structure will comprise 11,500 square metres on seven floors. It'll house four production lines with associated development areas and be designed to accommodate future expansion.