Expansion Management

AstraZeneca Buys Biologics Facility from Amgen

Sept. 11, 2015

The facility will eventually double the biologics manufacturing capacity in the U.S. to meet the needs of the maturing AstraZeneca pipeline.

Adrienne Selko

In order to increase its manufacturing and production capacity in biologics medicines AstraZeneca Plc. ( IW 1000/119) announced on Sept. 11 that it will purchase of a high-tech biologics bulk manufacturing facility from Amgen Inc. (IW 1000/252)

AstraZeneca plans to start staffing the LakeCentre facility, located in Boulder, Colo., immediately to support refurbishment and infrastructure improvements. Once complete, the site is expected to be operational and licensed for commercial production by late 2017, providing for additional capacity within the company’s biologics operations.

“The addition of the Boulder facility will support the progression of biotech drug candidates across our main therapeutic areas,” said Pam Cheng, executive vice-president, Operations and Information Technology at AstraZeneca. “This site will play an important role in our future commercial production and give AstraZeneca and MedImmune, our global biologics research and development arm, the flexibility and capacity to meet the needs of our rapidly growing biologics portfolio.”

In the longer-term, this site could create up to 400 highly skilled jobs, subject to relevant approvals by the local authorities.

The facility will eventually double the biologics manufacturing capacity in the U.S. to meet the needs of the maturing AstraZeneca pipeline. Currently biologics make up 50% of the company’s pipeline with more than 120 ongoing programs, including over 30 in clinical development.

The new facility in Boulder adds to the expansion of AstraZeneca’s biologics manufacturing capabilities, following the planned biologics manufacturing investment in Sweden, announced in May, and the expansion in Frederick, Maryland, announced in November 2014.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.