WuXi AppTec (WuXi), a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device technology platform company, has opened a 150,000ft² biomanufacturing facility in the US.
The facility is WuXi's third in the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
Once completely configured, the facility could employ an additional 200 people in its manufacturing and support segments.
Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack said: "The expansion by WuXi AppTec continues the growth of the Philadelphia Navy Yard as a hub for biotechnology and cell and gene therapy. It means workers in STEM fields will have more employment opportunities here.
"The commitment shown by a global pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing firms such as WuXi also demonstrates that Philadelphia and Pennsylvania are good places for science and technology firms to do business. We look forward to working with WuXi on future expansions."
WuXi AppTec CEO and chairman Dr. Ge Li said: "Advanced therapies like CAR T-cells and gene therapy vectors offer significant new therapeutic options for cancer patients and those suffering from crippling genetic diseases.
"We are pleased to be at the forefront of this field, providing our partners with cutting-edge cGMP manufacturing capabilities and capacities."
This facility is intended for cell therapy products that utilise viral vectors, such as chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T cell) therapies.
It will also facilitate the expansion of viral vector manufacturing to support gene therapy clinical and commercial programmes, as well as permit large-scale production in 2,000L single-use bioreactors.
The new facility will supplement WuXi's existing 20,000ft² cGMP cell therapy manufacturing facility, as well as a 50,000ft² facility for the commercial manufacture of allogeneic and autologous cell-based therapeutics.
WuXi's performs process development, clinical and commercial cGMP manufacturing, as well as analytical testing to support the rapidly growing cellular therapeutic and gene therapy industry's requirements.
