Hitachi Chemical Advanced Therapeutics Solutions (HCATS), a subsidiary of Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd. representing Hitachi Chemical’s Regenerative Medicine Business Sector (RMBS) in North America, has opened its new cell and gene therapy manufacturing facility in Allendale, NJ. The new facility is the company’s first to be designed from the ground up to meet the needs of commercial cell and gene therapy products and more than doubles HCATS’ existing manufacturing capacity in New Jersey.
 
The facility currently includes six classified environment rooms, with the capacity to add more rooms that can be specifically configured to accommodate growing client needs. The new facility includes state-of-the-art manufacturing development laboratories, quality control and microbiological laboratories, warehousing, executive offices and meeting space. The company’s ongoing investment in facility expansion complements ongoing investments in the company’s quality systems and commercial expertise, all with the aim of meeting its commitments to existing clients with near-term expectations for commercial product manufacturing.
 
“The opening of this new facility marks an important milestone for HCATS and will offer a state-of-the-art resource for our clients as they commercialize cell and gene therapies,” said Robert Preti, president and chief executive officer, HCATS, and general manager, RMBS. “Access to this type of manufacturing space is needed across the industry to ensure the continued growth and momentum of these promising therapeutics. This facility will require up to 500 more employees to reach full operational capacity over the next several years, supporting our growing roster of clients.”
 
Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey, said, “I am excited for Hitachi Chemical Advanced Therapeutics Solutions’ future in New Jersey, and I have no doubt that their new, state-of-the-art facility will not only help New Jersey residents, but also contribute to expanding the innovation economy by bringing up to 500 new jobs to our state. With our highly educated and diverse workforce, New Jersey is the perfect location for expanding biotech firms like Hitachi Chemical.”
 
The leadership and employees of HCATS, along with officials of Hitachi Chemical and local dignitaries, commemorated the milestone with a ribbon cutting ceremony on January 29 at the new facility.