FREDERICK, Md. — U.S. Senator Ben Cardin today toured the AstraZeneca biologics manufacturing center in Frederick as part of his ongoing “Made in Maryland” jobs tour that highlights the diversity of Maryland products and the Marylanders who make them.
“A dedication to continued invention is evident at AstraZeneca, which has helped develop and deliver innovative new treatments to benefit patients worldwide. The company’s recent multimillion dollar investment in the Frederick manufacturing center demonstrates the company’s enviable trajectory, and its choice to invest in Maryland demonstrates how well the Free State understands the needs of biotech businesses,” said Senator Cardin. “In visiting Maryland businesses ranging from Paul Reed Smith Guitars to Volvo Truck Group, I have seen a similar spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship running throughout the state.”
In late 2014, AstraZeneca announced plans to expand its biologics manufacturing center in Frederick, Md. The more than $200 million project is increasing production capacity at the facility to support AstraZeneca’s maturing pipeline, and will help position the company to keep pace with a growing demand for the development and use of biologics.
“As the second largest life science cluster in Maryland, we are enthusiastic about AstraZeneca and their decision to expand in Frederick County,” said Jan Gardner, Frederick County Executive. “AstraZeneca is an international leader in manufacturing biologics and we are proud to have them as part of our growing biotech community.”
AstraZeneca’s Frederick biologics manufacturing center is an FDA-licensed, large-scale cell culture production facility, with hundreds of thousands of square feet of administrative, production, warehouse, laboratory and utility space. The expansion project, which is expected to be complete in mid-2017, will add approximately 40,000 additional square feet of manufacturing, laboratory and administrative space. The expansion is also expected to bring a total of 300 new jobs to the site.
AstraZeneca’s Frederick manufacturing center is the largest biologics manufacturing facility within the company’s global network and portfolio of assets, and a worldwide industry leader in cell culture manufacturing. The site currently produces a pediatric medication, as well as other investigational biologic products.
“The City of Frederick is extremely proud of the contribution made globally from products produced in part by our citizens at Frederick-based manufacturers like AstraZeneca,” said Frederick City Mayor Randy McClement. “We strongly support their investment in Frederick.”
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, inflammation, autoimmune, oncology, infection and neuroscience diseases. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.
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