Thermo Fisher Scientific announce expansion of cell culture media manufacturing site

The expansion of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Grand Island, New York cell culture media manufacturing site offers increased redundant capacity in support of vaccine and biologic therapy development and manufacturing.

As global demand for cell culture media increases with the rise in new vaccine and biologics manufacturing, Thermo Fisher Scientific has invested in the expansion of its dry powder media manufacturing facility to meet this demand. The expansion of the site will provide redundant capacity in support of the global supply of media and extend capabilities for the commercial development and manufacturing of vaccines. The Grand Island expansion constitutes a part of the UDS $650 million multi-year expansion Thermo Fisher announced in 2021 in a move to ensure reliable and scalable bioprocessing production capacity for medicine including vaccines against COVID-19. 

Kate Torchilin, President, biologicals and chemicals at Thermo Fisher Scientific, stated: “Our expanded Grand Island site represents a significant milestone in our investment to double our total manufacturing capacity by the end of 2023… With the harmonized capabilities of our global manufacturing sites that enable us to prove equivalency in manufacturing, we’re able to support current demand while priming for future growth and continuously enhancing our customer experience globally.”  

The expansion encompasses over 45,000 square feet of Animal Origin Free manufacturing space, including Thermo Fisher’s Advanced Granulation Technology format and other dry powder media products. The development and production of biotherapeutics and vaccines will be accelerated in a rapid and reliable manner through the additional site capacity, offering biotechnology deveopers and CDMOs the ability to increase their footprint in the realm of innovative biologics, biosimilars and other therapeutics. In addition to increased manufacturing space, the Grand Island site expansion will add approximately 100 team members in roles ranging from research and development, operations, manufacturing, HR and engineering. 

Congressman Brian Higgins commented: “The story of Thermo Fisher’s presence on Grand Island speaks to the longstanding positive reputation of the biomedical research community in Western New York… Now employing over 1,600, I am proud to share in the celebration of Thermo Fisher’s continued investments and commitment to the community in Western New York.” 

Source: Thermo Fisher press release Thermo Fisher Scientific Expands Cell Culture Media Manufacturing Site in Grand Island, New York