Emergent BioSolutions has unveiled plans for the beginning of a $50 million expansion to the company’s Camden fill/finish facility located in Baltimore, MD. The multi-year expansion is expected to be completed in 2021, and will significantly increase the company’s contract development and manufacturing capacity, redundancy, and flexibility. This expansion is also anticipated to create up to 60 new jobs in the next three years.

“The expansion of our Camden facility is a significant and impactful capital investment that will generate measurable benefits for our clients,” said Sean Kirk, senior vice president, manufacturing operations and CDMO business unit head, Emergent. “This investment in innovative and flexible technology not only expands our customer-centric offerings to support future growth, but also builds upon our history of quality to help ensure the utmost focus on patient safety in pursuit of our corporate mission-to protect and enhance life.”

A highlight of the multi-stage project includes the addition of a new isolator enclosed fill line. Emergent has partnered with Groninger & Co. to install their FlexPro 50 filler with isolator technology and an integrated Christ lyophilizer. This entirely new line will have the capability of filling vials, syringes and cartridges in a new fill suite with dedicated utilities. The company will also be adding a second autoclave to provide manufacturing redundancy and increased sterilization capacity, a new cold storage space to support 2-8⁰c and -20⁰c requirements, new stability chambers, new media fill incubators, and additional warehousing and office space.

“Emergent has a proven track record as a world-class provider of contract manufacturing services for both bulk drug substances and sterile injectable drug products,” said BJ Hull, vice president, general manager and site head at the Camden facility. “This $50 million investment further demonstrates our commitment to meeting and exceeding the expectations of our customers as well as to stimulating economic growth and creating jobs in Baltimore.”

“The expansion of Emergent BioSolutions’ Camden fill/finish facility is a testament to Maryland’s leadership in biotechnology,” said Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD-03). “This facility will not only bring jobs to our community and boost our local economy, but also propel new medical advancements that will improve public health across the country.”