EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, a US-based pharmaceutical company, expanded its laboratory and manufacturing capabilities with a new, custom-built Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) commercial manufacturing facility in Northbridge, Massachusetts, US.
Opened in October 2024, the facility supports global production of the company’s programmes, including DURAVYU™ (EYP-1901), an investigational sustained-delivery treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), and YUTIQ®, a fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant for chronic non-infectious uveitis.
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Location
The manufacturing facility is located at 600 Commerce Park Drive in Northbridge, Massachusetts, US.
In January 2023, EyePoint Pharmaceuticals signed a lease agreement with V E Properties IX to design and construct the facility according to the company’s specifications. 600 CPK acquired the property and became the successor landlord in September 2024. The lease has an initial term of 15 years and four months from 1 October 2024.
Eyepoint Pharmaceuticals’ cGMP manufacturing facility details
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals’ cGMP manufacturing facility is a single-storey building spanning 40,000ft² (3,716m²) designed to meet ISO 7 cleanroom standards.
The building includes 10,000ft2 of clean manufacturing space, 6,500ft2 of support and research labs, conference rooms and office areas. It also includes 6,000ft2 of warehouse space featuring 20ft clear heights and two dock-high loading bays.
It features ten production suites for clinical supply and commercial-scale manufacturing, and laboratory support space, built to ISO 8 classification. It includes areas dedicated to quality control, quality assurance and administrative functions.
A notable element of the facility is the walk-on ceiling platform positioned above the modular cleanroom, providing straightforward access to services and equipment overhead while keeping interruptions and downtime within the cleanroom area to a minimum.
The facility is tailored to meet the unique requirements of the company’s development and manufacturing initiatives related to its expanding pipeline and also meets the stringent standards set by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency.
The project enhances the company’s manufacturing capacity, accelerating the clinical development and future commercial production of DURAVYU, upon regulatory approval. It also supports the global demand for YUTIQ, which is approved by the FDA and China National Medical Products Administration.
EYP-1901 and Durasert® platform technology
EYP-1901 combines a bioerodible formulation of EyePoint’s proprietary Durasert® delivery technology with vorolanib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor licensed to EyePoint exclusively by Equinox Sciences for the localised treatment of all ophthalmic diseases.
The Durasert technology enables sustained intraocular drug delivery, including that of EYP-1901. The platform has been safely administered to thousands of patients’ eyes across four FDA-approved products, including YUTIQ.
Financing
Churchill James, a real estate investment company, formed a joint venture (JV) with Sibley Hill Capital to arrange a $19m construction loan financing for the development.
The JV partnership was represented by Colliers Capital Markets. CBRE’s Life Sciences group acted as the exclusive real estate broker for EyePoint Pharmaceuticals.
State and local governments supported the initiative by providing a $1.9m grant.
Contractors involved
Jones Lang LaSalle, a US-based real estate services company, was involved in EyePoint’s property search, selection and lease negotiation process.
Gorman Richardson Lewis Architects, an architecture, planning and sustainable design services company, served as the lead architect for the project.
US company RP Masiello, known for its design and construction management expertise, led the design and construction.
RemTech, a process engineering company, and Phoenix Engineering, a mechanical, electrical, plumbing and process engineering services provider, served as the process engineer.
LeftField, a project management company, served as the owner’s project manager for the project.
Marketing commentary on EyePoint Pharmaceuticals
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, employing more than 200 people, is dedicated to the development and commercialisation of innovative therapeutics for enhancing the lives of patients with severe eye disorders. The expertise spans ophthalmology, glaucoma, wet AMD and optometry, as well as eye disease and retinal disease.
The company creates new treatments and sustained-release drug delivery systems for a variety of challenging conditions including macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of vision loss among adults, and other localised, chronic conditions. It has a portfolio of approved technologies such as Verisome® and Durasert.
