Emergent BioSolutions plans to invest $75 million to expand into viral vector and gene-therapy manufacturing through an expansion of its site in Canton, Massachusetts.

The company has acquired property adjacent to its facility in Canton to increase its campus footprint and build out advanced therapy capability. Its current facility in Canton is focused on the development and manufacturing of drug substances for live viral vaccines, including the company’s smallpox vaccine. The investment will include a multi-suite operation up to 1,000-L scale.

With the expansion, the company will provide CDMO services for viral vectors and gene-therapy products by offering development services out of its Gaithersburg, Maryland facility, drug-substance manufacturing out of the Canton facility, and drug-product manufacturing at its facility in Rockville, Maryland. The Rockville facility is in the midst of an expansion that is scheduled to be operational at the end of 2021. Advanced therapy CDMO drug-substance manufacturing services are expected to be available beginning in 2023.

Source: Emergent BioSolutions