Abraxis dedicates nanobiologics site
From 2004 to 2007 Abraxis set about boosting its manufacturing capacity in anticipation of increased demand for cancer treatment Abraxane (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) and its pipeline of pharmaceuticals.
One aspect of this was the purchase of the 200,000 sq ft sterile injectables Phoenix site, which also houses chemistry and microbiology laboratories, from Watson Pharmaceuticals in 2007.
Abraxis has revamped the site to make it “the world’s largest and most sophisticated protein nanobiologics manufacturing plant” and equip the company for growth.
Following the improvements the site will be capable of producing 10m units a year and this could be expanded to 20m in the future. There is also the possibility that Abraxis will invest in new technology and equipment in the future.
The facility needs to be checked by the US Food and Drug administration (FDA) and European regulators before commercial production can begin. This is due to happen in late 2010.
Improvements to the facility will create up to 200 high tech jobs. Abraxis has hired more than 100 former Watson employees and recruited additional staff since it bought the site in 2007. The company plans to further expand its workforce as production increases.
This could occur in response to increased demand for Abraxane but the technology at the Phoenix facility is also being used in multiple agreements for the development of novel, insoluble compounds.
