Abzena has announced the location of its GMP manufacturing facility will be Sanford, North Carolina. The expansion of its capacity is reportedly driven by an increase in customer demand for commercial scale 2000 L single use bioreactors across a range of therapeutic areas. Sanford will be Abzena’s 6th site in a global network and will be dedicated to cGMP manufacturing capacity for mammalian biologics.
The facility will cost over $200 m and will generate approximately 325 jobs in Sanford, Abzena says. The design of the facility has been optimised for Phase III and commercial manufacturing of biologics. A phased approach to construction will initially allow 4 modular suites. Each suite will include up to two 2000 L bioreactors. This initial phase will be followed by the addition of two further suites. The site will also be equipped to handle advances in manufacturing such as continuous manufacturing and perfusion. GMP manufacturing is planned to commence in mid-2022.
Jonathan Goldman, MD, CEO of Abzena said: “We are delighted to announce the investment of our newest site in Sanford, North Carolina. Our goal is to support our partners and the patients they serve with this expansion in cGMP biologics manufacturing services. We are pleased to provide integrated asset development with a full suite of in-house services from discovery through clinical and commercial phases without the need for technology transfer. We are very pleased to be welcomed by North Carolina.”
Kimball Hall, President and COO of Abzena added: “North Carolina offers great resources for access to a talented workforce and other resources for us as we bring the new facility on-line. This will ensure we continue to offer our partners a site with advanced technologies and a world-class workforce. We are very appreciative for the entire team representing North Carolina for their partnership and Senator Tillis office during the decision process. We are looking forward to establishing Abzena as a new LifeSciences partner in North Carolina.”
