Changzhou peptide API project gains environmental approval; startup depends on wastewater infrastructure

Changzhou Pharmaceutical Factory (常州制药厂有限公司) has received Jiangsu environmental approval for a project designed to produce 380 kg/year of peptide active pharmaceutical ingredients, including semaglutide and tirzepatide.

The September 1 approval advances a project first disclosed by Tianning authorities in June 2025, when they reported planned investment of RMB120 million (approximately $17.9 million). The previously announced 380 kg/year capacity comprises three distinct streams: 280 kg/year of fermentation-route semaglutide, 60 kg/year of solid-phase-synthesis semaglutide and 40 kg/year of tirzepatide.

The disclosed documents do not specify the tirzepatide manufacturing route.
The project is located at Changzhou Pharmaceutical Factory's existing site in the Tianning Economic Development Zone. A key condition of the environmental approval is that the peptide project cannot enter production until the Tianning Chengdong industrial wastewater-treatment plant has been completed and put into operation. No startup date for the peptide project is established by the approval.

The distinction between the two semaglutide production routes is significant for the upstream supply chain. The 60 kg/year solid-phase synthesis stream represents potential demand for protected amino acids, synthesis resins and coupling reagents, while the much larger fermentation stream has a different raw-material profile. No suppliers, procurement volumes or purchasing commitments were disclosed.

For peptide API buyers, the approval marks another step toward potential new Chinese semaglutide and tirzepatide supply, but the 380 kg/year represents planned capacity rather than demonstrated commercial output.

Sources

Jiangsu Department of Ecology and Environment — project approval, September 1, 2026
Tianning District Government — project disclosure, June 9, 2025