GE Healthcare Life Sciences announced today they are investing $7 million to expand their manufacturing facility in Westborough, MA.
With single-use bioprocessing technology demand predicted to exceed $3 billion by 2020, GE is expanding its ability to manufacture a range of single-use products, including growth bags. The expansion will include upskilling for over 300 personnel, automated production lines, and a tripling of clean-room production capacity at the site.
This technology expansion was made possible following an agreement in August between GE and Sealed Air (a global producer of primary films for the pharmaceutical industry) to produce a new film platform for single-use applications. The newly developed film will be used in the manufacture of all single-use products at the Westborough site.
At the same time in Uppsala, Sweden, GE Healthcare has established an enlarged extractables and leachables (E&L) analytical laboratory. This laboratory will support in-depth characterization of the potential impact of E&L compounds across all production processes and future novel single-use technology materials.
“Biopharmaceuticals are complex to make, requiring a dependable, consistent supply of high-quality manufacturing technologies,” said Jan Makela, GM, BioProcess, GE Healthcare. “Single-use is top of mind for our customers, for its ability to flex production to meet market needs.”
Makela continued that investment in the Westborough plant, strategic alliance with Sealed Air, and enlarged capabilities in Sweden, “confirm[s] our on-going commitment to minimizing risk and assuring security of supply for our customers around the globe. Our enhanced position in single-use bioprocessing ensures we are fully prepared to support the industry’s rapid growth.
