API Drug Development Services
Complete and integrated services
Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) drug development requires a range of services, from seamless tech transfers and expert chemistry to strong supply chains. As our partners’ needs grow, we invest in specialized equipment and training, driving efficiency in API development. This enables us to support complex programs, including highly potent APIs (HPAPIs) and advanced modalities like antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
Small molecule scale-up
Technology Transfer, Process Safety & Validation
Move with agility, safety, and speed. Our tech transfer, process safety, and process validation services are an integral part of our broader approach to safe and sustainable small molecule development.
Small Molecule API Process Development
As an expert partner for API process development, our collaborative team helps you tap into carefully chosen technologies and techniques to design, optimize, and scale up your small molecule program.

Key Facilities: Korea
SK pharmteco operates two facilities in Korea: Daejeon and Sejong. Daejeon is home to our Process R&D Center and is our Center of Excellence for continuous processing. The Sejong plant was designed to produce commercial-scale API under full CGMP, operating with a high level of automation and optimized approaches.
Key Facilities: Ireland
Our Dublin, Ireland, facility celebrated 60 years of API production and manufacturing excellence in 2024. This integrated facility combines manufacturing plants, process R&D and quality control laboratories within the same campus for maximum collaboration and efficiency.
Key Facilities: United States
SK pharmteco’s U.S. presence includes facilities in California, and Texas. Our California headquarters has extensive process R&D capabilities that transfer seamlessly to fully CGMP-compliant manufacturing from laboratory- to commercial-scale. Our Texas location has unique capabilities for the manufacture of large-scale APIs.
API Drug Development FAQs
Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are the core active component in a pharmaceutical product. Without APIs, there is no small molecule drug. API development occurs early in the drug development process, through steps that include discovery, synthesis, characterization, and scaling-up of chemical substances. Establishing an efficient and reliable process at this stage is critical, as APIs will remain central to the pharmaceutical manufacturing process for the full lifecycle of the drug.
Continuous flow processing is a more environmentally friendly, highly efficient, and cost-effective alternative to traditional batch processing. In addition to these advantages, it can achieve low-temperature reactions, hazardous reactions (e.g., azide reactions, hydrogen peroxide, etc.), high pressure (300 ATM), high temperature (600° C), and catalytic reactions.
New partnerships always begin with technology transfer. We’ve done this many, many times before. Our teams are adept at transferring, validating, and registering methods and processes. Next comes process development, which includes many important steps for the design, optimization, and validation of your small molecule. We’ll also be sourcing your raw materials and establishing a robust supply chain. As your program progresses, we can begin CGMP small-scale manufacturing, increasing batch volumes and the sophistication of our analytical offerings as your program advances towards commercialization.
We understand speed and efficiency are crucial in the competitive (and expensive) world of pharmaceutical development. This must be achieved without compromising safety or long-term viability. For us, the solution is two-fold. The first is our investment in innovative technologies and techniques that allow us to handle high-complexity projects and optimize API manufacturing at every production scale. The second is our commitment to collaboration and partnership. Our integrated team works cohesively with each other and with you to continually align with your project needs.

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