Thermo Fisher opens $44M bioprocessing manufacturing site in Utah

Official opening of Thermo Fisher Scientific's Ogden, UT manufacturing site

The site will produce customisable bioprocess container systems. 

The $44 million facility is part of Thermo Fisher’s $650 million multi-year investment, announced last year. The investment was made to ensure flexible, scalable and reliable bioprocessing production capacity exists for critical materials used in developing new and existing biologics and vaccines, including for COVID-19.  

The facility will manufacture highly customisable bioprocess container (BPC) systems. These BPCs are used for the delivery, processing, separation, storage and transportation of critical liquids and readily integrate into systems across all steps in the production of biologics, vaccines, and cell and gene therapies.  

Mitch Kennedy, president, single-use technologies at Thermo Fisher Scientific said the investment ‘further strengthens our global manufacturing network, which has been growing to meet increasing demand for single-use consumables and critical raw materials’.  

Speaking to CPHI, Thermo Fisher said the growing demand for single-use technologies, which spurred the investment, boils down to production efficiencies and flexibility in manufacturing. 

'Single-use bioprocess containers are cost-effective alternatives to conventional stainless steel systems and designed to help increase productivity,' a company representative said. 

'They serve a critical function in the development and production of lifesaving vaccines and therapeutics and are core to the biopharma industry’s ability to adapt and scale. With significant advances in new lifesaving therapies over the next decade, these products will be instrumental in bringing new discoveries from molecule to medicine.' 

More than 300 employees have already been hired at the facility, which has the potential to employ up to 450 people across safety, quality, manufacturing, HR, engineering and warehousing. 

The news was welcomed by several state and federal representatives, with Senator Mitt Romney calling Thermo Fisher an ‘integral part of Utah’s biotech community’ and highlighting the ‘positive impact on Utah’s economy’.  

Senator Mike Lee said, ‘Utah is a high-tech hub for businesses seeking an educated, dedicated workforce within communities and an economy that is thriving. I welcome Thermo Fisher’s investment in Utah and congratulate them on this next step on the cutting edge of biotechnology.’ 

Utah Governor Spencer Cox noted that the facility, along with campuses in Logan and South Jordan, brings the company’s employee base to 2,000 state-wide. He said, ‘We are grateful to have Thermo Fisher Scientific as part of Utah’s growing biotech economy.’