BMS unveils $165m expansion in Puerto Rico
pharmafile | July 17, 2012 | News story | Manufacturing and Production |Â Â BMS, Puerto Rico, diabetes, manufacturingÂ
A facility operated by Bristol-Myers Squibb in Puerto Rico stands to benefit from a $165 million investment programme that will create at least 100 additional jobs.
The plant in Humacao has been operating since 1970 and is set for both a renovation and new construction to increase its capacity to manufacture medicines for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
The investment will create a facility covering some 165,150 sq. ft., according to BMS, which noted that the plant will also be upgraded to house a novel ‘active coating’ process invented by the company that delivers active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) into the coating of a tablet.
Using the process, API and coating material is sprayed coated onto inert core tablets, followed by another layer of coating material alone.
A newly-constructed 82,000 sq. ft. unit will house new production lines for type II diabetes drugs, while renovations to 83,150 sq. ft. of existing space will allow it to be re-equipped with new machinery for the manufacture of cardiovascular medications.
In addition to investing $165 million in construction and equipment, the company said it will also add approximately 100 new jobs over the next few years, beginning in 2016.
“These positions include process engineers and operators, scientists, technicians and other skilled workers, and will be phased in as part of a multi-year plan to add manufacturing capacity to meet patient needs,” said the company in a statement.
Humacao is also used to manufacture anti-infective, central nervous system and dermatological medicines.
BMS’ senior vice president of pharmaceutical manufacturing, Ricardo Zayas, said: “Puerto Rico’s highly skilled workforce has contributed significantly to our existing operation and plays an important role in our company’s future growth.”
The expansion is BMS’ second major investment in Puerto Rico in recent years. In 2009, the company completed a $200 million project to expand its biologics manufacturing site in Manati. Earlier, the company closed a facility in Mayaguez as part of a global downsizing programme in its manufacturing network.
Phil Taylor
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