MedImmune, Inc. broke ground on the expansion of the biologics manufacturing facility at its existing site in Frederick, MD. Synagis, a monoclonal antibody approved by the FDA to help prevent infectious disease, is currently produced at the site. The $250-million expansion is the first phase of a multi-phase construction project.

"This groundbreaking highlights MedImmune's leadership in the state's biotechnology industry, and its expertise in cell culture-based manufacturing," said Bernardus N.M. Machielse, Drs., senior vice president, operations. "Our decision to expand the Frederick site was facilitated in part by our cooperative relationship with state and local government."

The expansion will increase the company's cell culture manufacturing production capacity in preparation for future monoclonal antibodies that are currently in development, should they receive FDA approval. MedImmune recently received a $170-million, five-year contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop cell culture-based seasonal and pandemic vaccines for which the Frederick facility will be the future production site. The phase one expansion is expected to be complete in late 2009.