Nanotherapeutics to invest $122m to make biologics for US military
The new plant - in Alachua, Florida, US - will feature single-use disposable manufacturing technologies for the production of medical countermeasures that Nanotherapeutics was contracted to make by the US Department of Defense (DoD).
The firm explained that when operational the site - called the Advanced Development and Manufacturing Center (NANO-ADM) - will be available to other third-party firms involved in the project.
"The NANO-ADM Center will integrate new biomanufacturing technologies with existing capabilities,enabling the development of both small molecule and biologic products.
While the firm did not detail the specific products that will be produced it did explain that: "The goal of
the contract is to enable faster and more effective development of medical countermeasures designed to
protect and treat military populations against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks and
outbreaks of naturally occurring, emerging and genetically engineered infectious diseases.
The centre will include space for vector development, quality control, a development pilot plant, manufacturing core, warehouse, as well as office/administration and utilities.
The new plant - which is costing $122m to build according to Area Development Online - will be operational in mid-2015 and will provide arouns 200,000 sqft of development and manufacturing space.
Nanotherapeutics - which expects to recruit 150 staff to work at the facility -will work with a network of firms including technology suppliers EMD Millipore Corporation and Xcellerex to fullfil the contract.
News of the new investment follows just a few weeks after Nanotherapeutics was names as one of the firms contracted by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) as part of its influenza pandemic preparedness and response programme.
The contracts, totaling approximately $40m, were also awarded to Cook Pharmica, JHP Pharmaceuticals and DSM Pharmaceuticals.
