Thermo Fisher Scientific opened its new business center and biorepository in Frederick, Md. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Frederick campus houses a recently expanded east coast distribution center, new Cryo-Innovation Center and the National Cancer Institute Central Repository for Clinical Trials. The site will help the company meet growing global demand for diagnostic instruments and cell and gene therapies that support patients participating in clinical trials around the world.
"Thermo Fisher Scientific remains an important employer in our state and a significant driver of economic growth, particularly in Frederick County where manufacturing is the number one source of jobs," said Maryland Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford. "The company is committed to providing high-quality careers across our state's burgeoning life sciences industry and to improving quality of life for employees and the greater community by offering programs such as the Frederick bike-sharing service."
Newly expanded by more than 190,000 square feet, the center will serve as the North American hub for Thermo Fisher's life sciences business. It is the largest building on the Frederick campus with more than 80 employees. The expansion includes another 22,000 square feet to accommodate future growth and advancements in automation, bringing Thermo Fisher's total investment in the facility to nearly $10 million.
The expansion also adds a 77,000-square-foot facility to house a dedicated Cryo-Innovation Center and National Cancer Institute Repository for Clinical Trials. Another 15,000 square feet have been reserved for future expansion.
The Cryo-Innovation Center will be a future third-party logistics site to support clinical trial and commercial cell and gene therapy, employing 20 people and representing an investment of $5 million. The site will consolidate several smaller facilities, making it a center of excellence for clinical and academic research sample storage.
The state-of-the-art facility supporting the National Cancer Institute will serve as a central biorepository to support oncology clinical trials. This represents a $2 million investment and employs more than 15 people.
"The Frederick campus will serve as Thermo Fisher's clinical and commercial hub for cell and gene therapy treatments to meet the growing demand from the global healthcare industry," said Dave Meadows, vice president and general manager for Fisher BioServices at Thermo Fisher Scientific. "Given the highly skilled workforce in Frederick County, it made sense to expand our current facility, and we're excited to continue to bring advanced manufacturing and high-tech careers to Maryland."
In addition to the new facility, upgrades also include a state-of-the-art Security Operations Center as well as a recently launched first-of-its-kind bikeshare program to make it easier for employees to commute and live healthier lifestyles. Frederick County's Office of Economic Development recently recognized Thermo Fisher's Frederick campus as 2018 "Expansion of the Year." The Frederick campus has more than 450 employees in total.
"Thermo Fisher's expansion in Frederick County helps continue the emergence of this community as a regional leader in biotechnology, and will provide real-world progress in fighting complex diseases and bolstering our cybersecurity," said U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. "By deepening its investment in Frederick, Thermo Fisher is building the local economy and providing Marylanders with the high-quality jobs and 21st century research tools we need to stay one step ahead."
