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$200+ Million Investment to Support Company’s Maturing
Biologics Pipeline
Frederick, Md., November 21, 2014 — AstraZeneca today
announced plans to expand its biologics manufacturing center in Frederick,
Md. The more than $200 million project
will increase production capacity at the facility to support AstraZeneca’s
maturing pipeline, and will help position the company to keep pace with a
growing demand for the development and use of biologics, which currently
represent nearly 50% of AstraZeneca’s overall pipeline.
“Biologics are an important part of AstraZeneca’s overall
capabilities, in addition to our strengths in small molecules and protein
engineering,” said Andrew D. Skibo, regional vice president of biologics supply
for AstraZeneca. “Our global biologics research and development arm, MedImmune,
has a robust pipeline of more than 120 biologics, including more than 30 in
clinical development. The expansion of
our Frederick facility will support the progression of drug candidates across
our core therapeutic areas, ultimately aiding us in our efforts to make a
meaningful difference in the lives of patients through scientific leadership
and innovative new treatments.”
AstraZeneca’s Frederick biologics manufacturing center is an
FDA licensed, large-scale cell culture production facility, with hundreds of
thousands of square feet of administrative, production, warehouse, laboratory
and utility space. The expansion
project, which is anticipated to begin in December and expected to be complete
in mid-2017, will add approximately 40,000 additional square feet of manufacturing,
laboratory and administrative space. The
expansion is also expected to bring a total of 300 new jobs to the site.
“We’re very pleased by AstraZeneca’s demonstrable commitment
to our local workforce and to our growing biotech community,” said Frederick
City Mayor Randy McClement. “This expansion will help bring even more high-caliber
life science jobs and career opportunities to Frederick and the surrounding
region.”
AstraZeneca’s Frederick manufacturing center is the largest
biologics manufacturing facility within the company’s global network and
portfolio of assets, and a worldwide industry leader in cell culture
manufacturing. The site currently
produces a pediatric medication, as well as other investigational biologic
products.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical
business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of
prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of cardiovascular,
metabolic, respiratory, inflammation, autoimmune, oncology, infection and
neuroscience diseases. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its
innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more
information please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com.
