Avantor has announced it will increase global capacity for single-use technologies used in the production of biologics and vaccines.
In the US and Europe, the company will increase its single-use manufacturing footprint by 30% and double its cleanroom space. The investment is aimed to support customer demand for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), novel cell and gene therapies for oncology and other diseases, as well as vaccines, including those for COVID-19.
The company recently expanded its North Carolina, single-use facility and expects completion of a cleanroom expansion at its Devens, Massachusetts, operation by mid-year. It also expects to open its second European single-use facility in Hillegom, the Netherlands, by then as well.
Dr Ger Brophy, Executive VP of Biopharma Production at Avantor, said: "The industry's response to the COVID-19 pandemic has relied heavily on the integration of single-use products into biopharma production processes. Efficacy and safety are of the utmost importance to our customers, and they look to us to understand and support their requirements as they rapidly expand their own manufacturing capacity.
"These additions to our global single-use manufacturing ecosystem are critical steps in enabling our customers to get therapies to patients quickly.”