AmbioPharm
AmbioPharm is a US-headquartered peptide CDMO founded in 2005 that provides custom peptide API manufacturing to pharmaceutical and biotech companies. It operates FDA-inspected facilities in South Carolina and Shanghai, using proprietary hybrid synthesis and microwave SPPS technology to produce long peptides including GLP-1 agonists.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersNorth Augusta, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What AmbioPharm does
AmbioPharm is a privately held peptide-focused contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) founded in 2005 and headquartered in North Augusta, South Carolina, with a second manufacturing campus in Shanghai, China. The company specializes in custom peptide-based active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), providing custom synthesis, process development, scale-up, and cGMP manufacturing services to pharmaceutical and biotech clients across preclinical, clinical, and commercial stages. Revenue is generated through project-based B2B contracts priced via quote on the basis of sequence complexity, scale (grams to multi-kilograms), purity specifications, and regulatory tier, with direct enterprise sales engagement across North America, Europe, and Asia and no use of distributors or consultants.
The core technology platform is built around solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), liquid-phase peptide synthesis (LPPS), and a proprietary hybrid synthesis approach that combines SPPS fragment synthesis with LPPS fragment assembly, enabling efficient production of long peptides such as GLP-1 agonists (~39 amino acids) that are difficult to manufacture via linear SPPS alone. AmbioPharm has integrated licensed CEM microwave peptide synthesizers (Liberty Blue for non-GMP and Liberty PRO for GMP up to 15L) along with patented CarboMAX coupling chemistry and one-pot combined coupling/deprotection processes to reduce synthesis time and solvent use. Purification and finishing infrastructure includes HPLC columns up to 100cm (40 kg/batch), lyophilization capacity up to 1,000L at the US site, reactors up to 5,000L in Shanghai, and reported annual production capacity up to one metric ton in the US and 8+ metric tons added by the Shanghai expansion. The workforce includes 500+ chemists and industry professionals with 200+ years of cumulative GMP manufacturing experience, and both facilities carry FDA-inspected status with multiple successful inspections.
Customer segments include large pharmaceutical companies (with named exposure to Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk), biotech firms (Viking Therapeutics, Apellis Pharmaceuticals), clinical research labs, and adjacent verticals such as cosmetics and peptide vaccines. In May 2026, CordenPharma, owned by private equity firm Astorg, announced the acquisition of AmbioPharm as part of a €900M investment program to scale peptide API capacity for the GLP-1 and weight-loss drug market, with AmbioPharm shareholders reinvesting in the combined entity. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.
AmbioPharm firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AmbioPharm
- Legal name
- AmbioPharm Inc.
- Website
- https://ambiopharm.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- AmbioPharm is a US-headquartered peptide CDMO founded in 2005 that provides custom peptide API manufacturing to pharmaceutical and biotech companies. It operates FDA-inspected facilities in South Carolina and Shanghai, using proprietary hybrid synthesis and microwave SPPS technology to produce long peptides including GLP-1 agonists.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AmbioPharm industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing (Peptide CDMO)
- NAICS
- Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Drug Substance–Drug Product Integrated CDMO (HLAGABAG)
Keywords
Where AmbioPharm is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- North Augusta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
AmbioPharm business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Contract Development and Manufacturing (CDMO): Provides peptide API manufacturing services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies across preclinical through commercial stages. Revenue generated through project-based contracts for custom peptide synthesis, process development, and GMP manufacturing.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-based custom manufacturing quotes |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
AmbioPharm product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AmbioPharm is a global peptide Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) that develops and manufactures custom peptide Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) for pharmaceutical and biotech companies. It operates two manufacturing facilities (North Augusta, South Carolina, USA and Shanghai, China) using solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), liquid phase peptide synthesis (LPPS), and a proprietary hybrid synthesis platform to deliver GMP and non-GMP peptide manufacturing services from preclinical through commercial scale.
Product overview
AmbioPharm is a global peptide CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) specializing in developing highly efficient manufacturing processes for peptide-based Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) at clinical and commercial scales. The company operates as a unified platform combining GMP Manufacturing Services with Custom Peptide Synthesis, Custom Organic Synthesis, Biologically Active Peptides, Non-GMP Services, Vaccine Services, Cosmetic Peptides, and Analytical Development & Validation Services. Key technology capabilities include Microwave SPPS Technology (using CEM equipment), Hybrid Synthesis (combining SPPS and LPPS), and Downstream Processing for purification and isolation. The company operates two major manufacturing facilities in North Augusta, South Carolina and Shanghai, China, offering end-to-end peptide manufacturing from preclinical through commercial production.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- GMP Manufacturing Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 3-4x reduction in process mass intensity (PMI) compared to linear SPPS
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use AmbioPharm
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
AmbioPharm technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
AmbioPharm partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- CordenPharmacoreCordenPharma acquired AmbioPharm to expand peptide API manufacturing capacity. The acquisition adds two facilities (South Carolina and Shanghai), ~400 employees, and complementary upstream/downstream peptide synthesis capabilities including SPPS, LPPS, hybrid synthesis, and TAPS platform. Transaction backed by private equity firm Astorg.
- CEM CorporationcorePartnership for microwave peptide synthesis technology. AmbioPharm uses CEM's Liberty Blue (non-GMP) and Liberty PRO (GMP up to 15L) microwave synthesizers, CarboMAX coupling technology, and one-pot combined coupling/deprotection processes. Technology enables rapid process development and production efficiency.
- AdalvomajorStrategic partnership for Icatibant development and manufacturing. AmbioPharm worked with Adalvo on synthesis and manufacturing of this complex injectable peptide product, which was successfully launched in 14 markets as an affordable version of Firazyr for hereditary angioedema (HAE) treatment.
- UC DavisminorCollaboration with UC Davis researchers on non-opioid peptide-based pain therapeutics. AmbioPharm synthesizes designed venom peptides (from Peruvian green velvet tarantula) targeting Nav1.7 voltage-gated ion channels for pain treatment, supported by NIH initiative.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AmbioPharm competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bachem: Swiss-based global leader in peptide API CDMO services, including custom peptide synthesis at commercial scale. Directly competes with AmbioPharm in SPPS, LPPS, and hybrid peptide manufacturing, serving the same pharmaceutical and biotech customers (e.g., Lilly, Novo Nordisk). AmbioPharm's SVP of Sales Asia previously held leadership roles at Bachem.
- PolyPeptide Group: Specialty CDMO focused exclusively on peptide and oligonucleotide API manufacturing for pharma and biotech. Direct head-to-head competitor with AmbioPharm in custom peptide synthesis, GMP manufacturing, and analytical services across clinical and commercial scales.
- Senn Chemicals: Swiss-based specialty peptide manufacturer offering custom peptide synthesis, GMP manufacturing, and amino acid building blocks. Closely comparable niche competitor focused exclusively on peptides at clinical and commercial scale.
Broad incumbents
- CordenPharma: Global full-service CDMO owned by Astorg that announced the acquisition of AmbioPharm in May 2026. CordenPharma offers integrated peptide, lipid nanoparticle, sterile fill-finish, and small molecule services; the acquisition positions CordenPharma as AmbioPharm's parent and largest comparable platform.
- Lonza: Largest global CDMO with peptide and oligonucleotide capabilities, serving pharma and biotech from clinical to commercial scale. Overlaps with AmbioPharm in custom peptide API manufacturing but operates across a much broader service portfolio (biologics, cell therapy, small molecules).
- WuXi AppTec / WuXi Biologics: China-based global CDMO with growing peptide and oligonucleotide capabilities. Comparable to AmbioPharm in offering custom peptide synthesis and GMP manufacturing at scale, though WuXi's primary focus is biologics and broader small molecule CDMO.
- Piramal Pharma Solutions: Global CDMO offering peptide, antibody-drug conjugate, and sterile injectable manufacturing. Comparable to AmbioPharm in peptide API CDMO services, though Piramal operates across a broader range of dosage forms and customer segments.
- Eurofins Scientific CDMO: Global testing and CDMO services group with peptide and small molecule API manufacturing offerings. Overlaps with AmbioPharm in custom peptide synthesis and GMP manufacturing, though peptides are one of many CDMO categories within Eurofins' broad portfolio.
Emerging players
- GenScript Biotech: Hong Kong/US biotech services company with peptide synthesis and biologics manufacturing capabilities. Direct overlap with AmbioPharm in custom peptide API services, including non-GMP and GMP scale. AmbioPharm's Principal Researcher previously worked at GenScript Nanjing.
- Tosoh Bioscience (Tosoh Corporation): Japanese chemical and life science company with peptide synthesis reagents and custom peptide manufacturing services. Comparable to AmbioPharm in serving Asian pharma customers with peptide APIs, though smaller scale and primarily a reagent supplier.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AmbioPharm social profiles
Digital presenceAmbioPharm compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
AmbioPharm financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AmbioPharm leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
AmbioPharm funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AmbioPharm M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AmbioPharm
What does AmbioPharm do?
AmbioPharm is a global peptide Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) that develops and manufactures custom peptide Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) for pharmaceutical and biotech companies. It operates two manufacturing facilities (North Augusta, South Carolina, USA and Shanghai, China) using solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), liquid phase peptide synthesis (LPPS), and a proprietary hybrid synthesis platform to deliver GMP and non-GMP peptide manufacturing services from preclinical through commercial scale.
Is AmbioPharm a public or private company?
AmbioPharm is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently acquired.
When was AmbioPharm founded?
AmbioPharm was founded in 2005. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is AmbioPharm based?
AmbioPharm is headquartered in North Augusta, United States, in the North America region.
How does AmbioPharm make money?
One revenue line is on record: contract Development and Manufacturing (CDMO).
Who are AmbioPharm's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bachem, PolyPeptide Group and Senn Chemicals. Broad incumbents are CordenPharma, Lonza, WuXi AppTec / WuXi Biologics, Piramal Pharma Solutions and Eurofins Scientific CDMO. Emerging players are GenScript Biotech and Tosoh Bioscience (Tosoh Corporation).
Does AmbioPharm have an API?
No public API is recorded for AmbioPharm.
What industry is AmbioPharm in?
AmbioPharm's product category is Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing (Peptide CDMO). Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGABAG, Drug Substance–Drug Product Integrated CDMO. Its NAICS code is 325412 and its SIC code is 2834.