Amgen biomanufacturing plant coming soon, bringing jobs, efficiency

WEST GREENWICH – With the foundation ready, next month Amgen Inc. will begin modular construction of its $165 million next-generation biomanufacturing plant on its 75-acre campus, the first project of its kind in the U.S., says Tara Urban, senior manager of corporate affairs.

By the end of June, Urban said, the modular components will arrive by ship. Assembly will take about 30 days. Live-cam footage of the project construction is available on the Amgen website.

In addition to 200 construction jobs, the plant will bring 150 new, highly skilled jobs along with it. A single-use facility, staff members will learn about new processes, says Urban, with staff training being done in Amgen in Singapore, where these processes are already underway.

“The new plant will incorporate multiple innovative technologies into a single location,” she said in an email, “meaning the plant will be greener, more flexible, smaller and cheaper to build and operate when compared to our traditional plant,” allowing Amgen to respond faster to changing needs for medicines and getting them produced faster.

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According to a previous Amgen news release, U.S. federal tax reform provided incentives for Amgen to invest in innovation and advanced technologies. The West Greenwich site was chosen for the new plant based on its capabilities and workforce, as well as the quality of living for staff and growth potential.

The new Amgen facility will use 71% less energy, 45% less water and 71% less carbon than a traditional plant of its kind.

Susan Shalhoub is a PBN contributing writer.