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Besins Healthcare Unveils State-of-the-Art Hormone Factory in Muel

Besins Healthcare, a global lead in Women's and Men's Reproductive Health, today unveiled its novel hormone production facility in Muel, situated near Zaragoza, Spain. This event represents a significant moment in European pharmaceutical history. Built in an astounding time frame since its foundation in mid-2022, this avant-garde facility adheres to the highest quality complying with the highest environmental standards. The plant fortifies Besins Healthcare's commitment to scale up production capacities within Europe, boosting their output by an impressive 30%. Championing European Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Following its strategic acquisition of a hormone production site in Drogenbos, Belgium, in 2022, Besins Healthcare continues to reinforce its commitment to the European Union's initiative to mitigate drug shortages and establish pharmaceutical sovereignty . "Being deeply rooted in Europe, it was a natural decision for us to invest here," said Nicolas & Alexandre Besins, CEOs, elaborating that the new facility will help "satisfy the surging global demand for hormone treatments related to menopause and fertility." Meeting the Escalating Global Demand The new facility is a timely response to an upsurge in demand for Hormonal Replacement Therapies (HRT). As demographics shift, an increasing number of women reach menopause, requiring female hormone (Estrogen and Progesterone) supplementation. In parallel, the average age for first-time pregnancies is climbing, leading to complex fertility scenarios that often necessitate Progesterone support. Future-Ready Products and Collaborations Dr. Pedro N. Barri, President of Dexeus Mujer, Barcelona, heralded the opening as "remarkable news in the therapeutic area," and particularly shared his anticipation: 'I look forward to manufacturing new dosages of natural Progesterone (300 and 400 mg)(2) to serve better our patients' needs'.

Bharat Serums and Vaccines's new facility creates employment opportunities in India

Bharat Serums and Vaccines Limited (BSV) hosted the groundbreaking ceremony of its new manufacturing plant at Genome Valley in Hyderabad, Telangana, in the presence of K.T Rama Rao, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development; Industries and Commerce; and Information Technology, Electronics and Communications of Telangana. BSV currently has a manufacturing facility in Ambernath, Maharashtra that caters to domestic and more than 80 export markets and a manufacturing facility in Aachen, Germany, that serves the international markets. The new manufacturing facility in Genome Valley will cover an area of 10 acres and involve an investment of Rs 200 crore. It aims to provide long-term employment opportunities to the people of the Telangana State as well as upskilling of capabilities. With this manufacturing facility, BSV aims to significantly increase its capacity in producing injectables with the commissioning of the fill-finish formulation line in phase 1 and an additional multi-product line in phase 2 of the project. The manufacturing facility endeavors to produce world-class products that adhere to International Quality Systems while complying to the Indian regulatory norms of Schedule M as well as the Global regulatory requirements in the world. The facility will produce women health products, rabies vaccines, immunoglobulins, hormones, among others.

Wuxi's new facility expects to have more than 500 employees

WuXi Vaccines, a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) focused on vaccine discovery, development, and manufacturing, has launched its first standalone vaccines CDMO site in Suzhou, China. The opening will add drug substance and drug product capacity, with end-to-end services for diversified vaccines that will accelerate global clients' project timelines – from process development and drug product development to clinical-scale drug substance (DS) and small-to-medium sterile drug product (DP) manufacturing. Its DS production area includes two cell culture lines and one purification line supporting DS production scales from 50L to 1,000L, while maintaining a reserved capacity for 2,000L production. The DP facility is equipped with an automatic vial washing, sterilizing, filling and capping line, which can support the clinical production of both liquid and lyophilized products. Mr. Jian Dong, CEO of WuXi Vaccines, commented, "We are very pleased with the opening at our first standalone vaccine CDMO site in China. This is a great achievement for our company as it allows us to significantly expand our services and capacities. We look forward to working with our global partners to advance their pipelines, with the ultimate goal of improving the well-being of people worldwide." The site currently employs 200 people and anticipates having more than 500 employees when it reaches full operation. The manufacturing of large-scale commercial lyophilized drug product in vials is expected to launch by the end of 2024. The WuXi Vaccines facility in Dundalk, Ireland, recently achieved its notable milestone and will initiate Tech Transfer (TT). In addition, the facility has continued its commissioning qualification and validation (CQV) activities. The QC potency lab became operational in July 2020 and received its GMP certificate from the Ireland Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) in July 2022. Currently, over 160 employees are working at the WuXi Vaccines Ireland site.

Biomerics announces completion of expansion of their operations in Brooklyn Park

Biomerics, the leading vertically integrated medical device contract manufacturer in the interventional device market, announced the completion of a 100,000-square-foot expansion of their operations in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, bringing the facility to a total size of 170,000 square feet. Driven by increased demand, this investment benefits customers by consolidating multiple facilities under one roof and expanding Biomerics' engineering Centers of Excellence for Complex Extrusions, Laser Processing and Advanced Catheters & Steerables, as well as final assembly operations. Biomerics' main facility in Brooklyn Park specializes in designing, developing and manufacturing complex, highly specialized catheters, steerable devices and delivery systems for the interventional device market. The expansion also provides additional areas for employee training and office space. This new space will allow Biomerics to triple extrusion output over the next five years to keep up with increased customer demand for high-quality medical extrusions and catheters. The collaboration of Brooklyn Park's extrusion and catheter teams with Biomerics' custom proprietary polyurethane manufacturing team in Salt Lake City, Utah, combines the engineering expertise of proprietary thermoplastic materials and compounds for medical tubing. This vertical integration makes Biomerics the only fully integrated medical tubing manufacturer in the interventional device market and marks the launch of Biomerics Advanced Materials & Tubing, the company's newest Center of Excellence. Tom Winegar, President of Biomerics Brooklyn Park, says, "This expansion consolidates all Biomerics' Minnesota operations under one roof. This allows for a one-stop shop for our customers to meet their design and manufacturing needs for micro metals processing, advanced extrusion, product development, advanced catheters and advanced steerables. We are excited to continue to invest in Minnesota and enhance our capabilities for our customers." Chris Richardson, President of Biomerics Advanced Interventional Catheter, adds, "Our Center of Excellence for Advanced Catheters & Steerables in Minnesota understands the advanced engineering capabilities needed to bring innovative interventional devices to market, including advanced composite construction; multi-durometer shaft transitions; pushability, torquability and trackability; hydrophilic coatings; handle design; multi-lumen configurations; bending; and articulation. The expansion significantly scales our capabilities for our customers as they grow." "This expansion reflects our 30-year pursuit of innovation and manufacturing excellence," says Travis Sessions, Chief Executive Officer of Biomerics. "I'm thrilled to continue to see our vertical integration on full display throughout our growing global operations. This investment says a lot about the performance of these combining teams, our markets we manufacture for and our commitment to delivering the latest innovation in the medical device manufacturing industry. The expansion will continue to fuel our growth with best-in-class speed-to-market capabilities."

ST Pharm breaks ground for its new State-of-the-Art Oligonucleotide Facility

ST Pharm successfully marked the completion of its groundbreaking ceremony, signaling a significant step forward in expanding its oligonucleotide manufacturing capacity and capabilities. The current expansion is in response to the growing demand for oligonucleotide therapeutics, including ASO, siRNA, and CRISPR, and it is not only to increase the capacity from 6.4 mol to 14 mol, but also to enhance overall capabilities. To diversify its operational scope, the new facility will be designed to accommodate different scales of production. Initially, it will introduce three new production lines, with capacities of 1.8 mol (large scale), 400 mmol (mid scale), and 100 mmol (small scale), and the facility has flexibility to add two more lines for future growth. With a total investment of $110 million USD, the construction of the new oligonucleotide facility at ST Pharm Banwol Campus planned for completion in 2025 will cover approximately 3,300 squares meters (10,900㎡), standing at a height of 60 meters across 7 floors. The state-of-the-art facility will harness automation and digitization to streamline operations and leverage know-how that is already available for enhanced productivity, robustness, and agility resulting in reduced labor cost and improved overall cost-efficiency. Furthermore, ST Pharm is dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint and advancing sustainability. The new facility will implement waste recycling, water-saving process, and introduce the new technologies that extend lifespan of filters, and energy-efficient technologies.

National Institutes of Health To Locate Signature Research Program on the Phoenix Bioscience Core

Wexford Science & Technology, announced that the National Institutes of Health has signed a lease at 850 PBC and will use the space to accommodate the Phoenix Epidemiology & Clinical Research Branch of the NIH's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases . This innovative basic, translational, and clinical research center will occupy the entire 7th floor of 850 PBC, comprising approximately 35,000 square feet. "We are thrilled to announce the expansion of National Institutes of Health - NIDDK on the Phoenix Bioscience Core at 850 PBC," said Kyle Jardine, Market Executive at Wexford Science & Technology. "NIH is a key research catalyst for our existing tenants, and reaffirms the PBC as Arizona's central hub for life science research and entrepreneurship. We know NIH will be a tremendous addition to our community, and we look forward to supporting their important work for decades to come." NIDDK, which has conducted world-renowned research in Arizona since 1965, relocated its genomics section to the second floor of the TGen building in 2005. The new lease at 850 PBC will allow all sections of NIDDK Phoenix to be co-located in the Phoenix Bioscience Core. The increase of epidemiologists, statisticians, and inpatient and outpatient scientists will lead to additional partnerships in the downtown Phoenix ecosystem. NIDDK conducts and supports research on many of the most common, costly, and chronic conditions to improve health outcomes, including in populations at higher risk for these conditions, such as Arizona's Native Communities. Phoenix continues to grow in research funding, capabilities, and prominence as a bioscience hub. Most recently, it was named one of the fastest-growing emerging life science markets, according to CBRE, and has experienced a 33 percent growth rate in life science researchers over the past five years; the third-fastest rate among emerging markets in the United States. This, coupled with more than 90% growth in Biological and Biomedical Science degrees awarded, creates the assured talent pipeline that life science organizations need to thrive. "It's an incredible win for Phoenix that more members of the NIDDK team will join our Phoenix Bioscience Core," City of Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said. "Right here in Phoenix, researchers from NIDDK have already made landmark discoveries in the fields of type 2 diabetes and obesity research, including writing the first clinical definition of type 2 diabetes adopted by the World Health Organization. The City's partnership with NIH is poised to drive even more advancements in clinical research and genomics, further solidifying Phoenix's position as a hub for cutting-edge scientific discovery. Together, we will continue to make strides in improving the health and well-being of our communities and beyond." "The decision by NIH to co-locate with ASU at the Phoenix Bioscience Core is proof positive that PBC has emerged as the center of gravity for advancing health and bioscience research," said Sally C. Morton, Executive Vice President of Knowledge Enterprise at ASU. "There is no doubt that this will foster opportunities for even greater research collaboration that coincides with the launch of ASU Health, including our new Medical School and School of Public Health Technology. The collaborative effort at PBC is paying dividends that everyone can be proud of." SmithGroup will be designing the NIDDK space, Okland Construction will be the general contractor, and Cushman and Wakefield's Alexandra Loye, Scott Boardman, and Scott Johnston represented Wexford in the lease transaction.

Astellas to Invest more than €330 Million in a New State-of-the-Art Facility in Ireland

Astellas Pharma Inc announced its intention to submit a planning application to build a new state-of-the-art facility, at an approximate cost of €330 million in Tralee, Co. Kerry. This investment by Astellas in Ireland will expand our capacity and capabilities for aseptic drug products, reinforce stable production for global supply and accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative antibody drugs and other new products. The facility will be based on the Industrial Development Authority's (IDA)* greenfield site in Kerry Technology Park, Tralee, bringing highly specialized engineering, science and technology roles to the region and helping to further the Astellas VISION to "be on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients." Hideki Shima, Chief Manufacturing Officer at Astellas"Astellas is developing innovative drugs and technologies based on our Focus Area research and development approach, placing patients at the forefront of everything we do. With the new facility, Astellas will aim to strengthen our in-house production capacity and capabilities and ensure a stable supply of high-quality Astellas medicines to patients around the world." Michael Lohan, CEO at IDA*"This announcement from Astellas is excellent news for the South West region and indeed Ireland. Astellas already has a presence in both Kerry and Dublin and this significant investment of approximately €330 million, adding a new state-of-the-art aseptic drug product facility, underscores the strategic importance Ireland plays in Astellas' global operations. The new facility in Tralee will be built with sustainability at its core and will showcase Ireland and our regional attractiveness as a location for investment." The new facility in Tralee will be built in line with Astellas' ambitious sustainability targets and values incorporating the highest national and international best practice in energy and environmental design. The project aims to cut water use by about half, reduce operational energy intensity by more than one-third and produce zero waste to landfill (compared with LEED® baseline). These measures along with onsite renewable technology including solar PV panels and biomass boiler underpin Astellas' efforts in the mitigation of climate change.

Zelis Named to Fortune’s 2023 Best Workplaces in Health Care

Zelis, a healthcare technology company modernizing the healthcare financial experience for all, has been named by Fortune as a 2023 Best Workplace in Health Care. Among a list of 40 large workplaces, Zelis ranked at #16 in its debut on the list. The list was compiled from more than 208,000 employee responses from various organizations about their workplace. The Best Workplaces survey is confidential, and features 60 questions about company culture, among other metrics. Answers are compiled and analyzed to determine each year’s final list. “We are honored and ecstatic to be named to Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Health Care list this year,” said Zelis CEO Amanda Eisel. “This award is deeply significant to us, as it underscores the collective efforts of our 2,400 associates and leaders in building a thriving, positive workplace environment. The future is bright at Zelis because our team cares about every facet of growth and success – for our company, our clients and each other.” Zelis prides itself on its company culture; emphasizing shared values and the Zelis Associate Value Proposition which is a promise to clients, communities and each other to making healthcare better for all. Additionally, with a focus on putting people first, Zelis is committed to providing its associates with a healthy work-life balance. This includes flexible paid time off, a day off to support local communities, Business Resource Groups, meeting-free Wednesday afternoons and ZelisCares Fridays with the workday ending at 3 p.m. year-round. The company has been honored as a Top Place to Work by Becker’s Healthcare (2023); the Best Overall Digital Health Company by MedTech Breakthrough (2022); and has earned Great Place to Work certification (2023). An anonymous response submitted as part of the Fortune Best Workplaces in Health Care survey said: “I love the culture here. The fact that the CEO is a woman, management is hands-on and approachable, and we have Zelis Cares hours. The company shows in various ways they really care for the employees, have an interest in our well-being, and provide opportunities for growth in the respective department, as well as moving into another department. Zelis is a great company to work for.”

Access Healthcare to recruit over 1,500 professionals in the next two months

Access Healthcare, a premier provider of revenue cycle management, business process outsourcing, and IT services to the US healthcare sector, will recruit over 1,500 professionals in the next two months. This surge, representing approximately 6% of its workforce, is attributed to acquiring new clients and expanding several ongoing contracts. The company is hiring across the board, with positions available for experienced callers, fresh graduates for call center roles, certified Medical Coders, professionals in Medical Billing, Finance and accounting, and roles in AI and automation. The company is also looking to hire for specialized roles such as DME subject matter experts, IP-DRG coders, and AI specialists for its automation initiatives. Job opportunities are available across the company’s Chennai, Coimbatore, Mumbai, Pune, Noida, and Trivandrum centers. Expanding on growth and learning opportunities, Vardhman Jain, Founder and Vice Chairman of Access Healthcare said, "At Access Healthcare, our technological advancements are a testament to our belief in human potential. We remain committed to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of meritocracy. Every hire is a strategic stakeholder in our vision, and our unwavering stance on equal opportunity defines our ethos. Our people get unprecedented opportunities to learn, develop, and grow their careers." In recent developments, Access Healthcare inaugurated new centers in Noida and Pune, complementing their existing facilities in various cities, including Chennai, Coimbatore, Mumbai, Pune, Trivandrum, Manila (Philippines), Texas, and New Jersey.

Eminence Opens New GMP Cell Culture Media Manufacturing Facility

Eminence Biotechnology is delighted to announce that its state-of-the-art facility for the commercial production of cell culture media ("the new facility") is now fully operational. The opening aims to address the rapidly growing demand for high-quality media in the fields of vaccines, gene therapies, cell therapies, antibodies, and recombinant proteins. Located at the BIOBAY Phase II, Suzhou Industrial Park, the new facility occupies approximately 7,000 square meters and comprises dedicated zones for media production, warehousing, and laboratory functions. With three dry powder production lines and two liquid production lines, the facility boasts an annual output of up to 20 million liters of dry powder media and 300,000 liters of liquid media. Equipped with cutting-edge vertical pin-milling manufacturing technology and bolstered by world-class utility systems, the new facility adheres to international GMP standards, ISO9001, and ISO13485 regulations. It is designed to provide biopharmaceutical companies worldwide with consistently high-quality, batch-to-batch stable cell culture media products. Frank Song, Chairman and CEO of Eminence, commented, "From the very beginning, our focus has been firmly set on the field of cell culture media. After over seven years of growth, our factory in Changzhou has reached its capacity, and this new facility was designed leveraging the operational experience from Changzhou and integrating it with more advanced large-scale pin-milling technology to standardize production processes, ensuring stable and continuous production." The new facility was brought to life through a partnership between Cockram Project Limited and Zhongshi Chemical Engineering Construction, the general contractor. "With the collective professional expertise and collaborative effort, we aim to provide a stable supply chain and reliable products for robust production and emerging drug development for our clients," Frank Song added. Aligning with Eminence's core values of Expertise, Evolution and Excellence, the new facility aspires to solidify its position as a trusted partner for global biopharmaceutical companies. It stands as a testament to the company's enduring commitment to enhancing client value through exceptional quality and innovation.