Aldevron ‘robust’ expansion ups biologics capacity by 10x and triples workforce

By Ben Hargreaves

- Last updated on GMT

(Artist impression of campus. Image: Aldevron)
(Artist impression of campus. Image: Aldevron)

Related tags Aldevron Sarepta Nucleic acid mRNA Plasmids

Aldevron announces the expansion of its headquarters’ campus by half a million-square-feet, which will see annual capacity exceed $1bn of biologic products.

The contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) specialises in the production of plasmid DNA, proteins, mRNA and antibodies. Its site expansion in North Dakota, US, will see three new buildings constructed over a three-to-five-year period.

As a result of the new infrastructure, Aldevron expects to employ 1,000 workers across its campus, building on an existing global workforce of 350 people.

The company will initiate construction of a 189,000-square-foot good manufacturing practice (GMP) manufacturing, warehouse, and logistics space, in August 2019.

This facility will immediately increase production of GMP nucleic acids, proteins, and mRNA ten-fold when it becomes operational, which is projected to happen in January 2021.

The additional two buildings will be an 89,000-square-foot administration and client visit centre and a 96,000-square-foot R&D, technical operations, and training centre. Further than this, the company plans to add 20,000-square-foot of quality control and product storage space to be added to its existing plasmid DNA manufacturing facility.

“This plan is designed to serve the biopharmaceutical industry with the world’s most advanced manufacturing platforms for gene and cell therapy,”​ said Michael Chambers, CEO of Aldevron.

The scale of the expansion is indicative of the fast pace at which the biotech industry, particularly in the cell and gene therapy space, is growing​.

CCO of Aldevron, Henry Hebel, noted that the industry is developing ‘exponentially’ and the company decided to commit to a “robust expansion plan”​ by “listening to and engaging with regulatory agencies, industry professionals and most importantly, our clients.”

Earlier this year​, Aldevron agreed to provide plasmid source material for Sarepta, after the latter company’s previous supplier had issues maintaining quality of supply​.

Financial details behind the expansion were not disclosed.

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