US-based biotechnology company Amgen built a new biopharmaceutical product assembly and packaging facility in New Albany, Ohio, to support the rising demand for Amgen’s medicines in the US.
Construction of the facility began in November 2021 with an investment of $365m.
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The facility received approval from the Food and Drug Administration in January 2024 and commenced operations in February 2024. The project created up to 400 full-time jobs.
Location of Amgen’s new assembly and packaging facility
Amgen’s new assembly and packaging facility is located on 177 acres of greenfield land in the New Albany International Business Park, south of the State Route 161 Expressway and west of Beech Road in New Albany, central Ohio.
The business park was developed on 4,000 acres of land and has more than ten million square feet (929,030m2) of company space.
The site lies in the north-eastern part of the Columbus metro area, close to several popular locations such as the I-270 outerbelt, the Columbus John Glenn International Airport, the Ohio State University, the Rickenbacker Port Authority and downtown Columbus.
The proximity of the pharma packaging facility to the Columbus region allows Amgen to attract talented science, technology, engineering and mathematics students graduating from educational institutions in the region.
Amgen’s assembly and packaging facility details
The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility has a built-up area of nearly 300,000ft². It is used primarily for filling, labelling and packaging a wide variety of pharmaceuticals in vials and syringes.
The facility is equipped with advanced equipment including automated guided vehicles and streamlined automated packaging systems for assembly and final packaging of Amgen’s medicines for distribution in the US. It also leverages the latest digital technology such as AI and automation to improve efficiency in operations and manufacturing.
The manufacturing plant includes open-plan areas intended to encourage teamwork and collaboration. Employees also use virtual reality and augmented reality to build skills and practise the company’s processes in a safe, tightly controlled setting.
Together, these technologies and features create a hygienic, future-ready and adaptable facility.
Funding details
The Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved a state tax credit of up to $15m for more than 15 years for the new factory.
The facility has also been granted 100% real property tax abatement for 15 years by New Albany.
Sustainable features of the Amgen facility
Amgen’s new facility is built in compliance with rigorous environmental standards to align with the company’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2027.
The facility is designed to maximise energy efficiency and reduce waste, promoting environmental sustainability and helping the company achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.
Contractors involved
Turner Construction, a construction management company based in the US, was the lead contractor for the project’s construction.
CRB Group, a sustainable engineering, architecture and consulting company based in the US, was responsible for providing design services.
Amgen worked with AEP, an electric utility company based in the US, to achieve its sustainability goals.
Marketing commentary on Amgen
Amgen was established in 1980 and produces large-molecule biologics and other biotechnology medicines for serious illnesses including oncology, inflammation, cardiovascular disease and bone health, as well as neuroscience and nephrology.
Amgen’s US operations are spread across California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
The company has a total workforce of 31,500 employees worldwide.
