BMS opens expanded biologics facility

$280 million project increases workforce, adds new capabilities

The $280 million project adds two new buildings to the 89-acre Devens campus: a Biologics Development Building for designing processes for the early production of investigational medicines, and a Clinical Manufacturing Building where investigational medicines will be produced to support clinical trials. Both are new capabilities for Devens, a site that had previously focused solely on large-scale, bulk biologics manufacturing.

“Biologics are increasingly important in the treatment of serious diseases and a rapidly growing part of our company’s pipeline of potential new therapies,” said Lou Schmukler, president, Global Manufacturing & Supply. “Bringing together biologics development and clinical and commercial manufacturing on one campus will help accelerate the development of these innovative medicines for patients worldwide.”

The expansion increases the site’s workforce, with approximately 200 new jobs having been added at the project’s initial completion rising to approximately 350 jobs over time. The two new buildings also add approximately 200,000 sq ft to a site now comprised of eight major buildings in a 600,000 sq-ft complex. Furthermore, the buildings add to the major investment the company has made at Devens, a former military base. When combined with the company’s initial $750 million investment to build the facility, the expansion project brings the company’s total investment at the site to more than $1 billion.

“This project represents a significant expansion in the site’s size and mission,” said Greg Guyer, senior vice president, Biologics Development and Operations. “It creates one of the world’s premier integrated biologics facilities, a biologics center of excellence for the company, for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and for patients.”

The new buildings are also representative of a broader company initiative to incorporate more efficient design and workspaces that enable collaboration, creativity and innovation in all its facilities. Pedestrian bridges connect the different buildings at Devens, while interior design elements encourage interaction among the teams working in the closely linked scientific disciplines of biologics process development, clinical manufacturing and commercial manufacturing.

“These dynamic new buildings, and our site as a whole, are designed to advance the important work that our employees are doing to develop and deliver innovative medicines for patients with serious diseases,” said Luis Maranga, the site’s general manager.

The buildings also continue our company’s commitment to sustainability in its buildings and operations. The Biologics Development Building has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification for energy and environmental design, and the Clinical Manufacturing Building is also targeted for LEED Silver certification. Sustainable features in the new buildings include an abundance of natural light, a green roof, high efficiency lighting and water systems, water-efficient landscaping, and wood products from sustainable sources. The site’s original lab and office building had previously received LEED Gold certification, while the manufacturing building received Silver.