
Biogen Plans Biologics Manufacturing Facility in Switzerland
Biogen plans to build a biologics manufacturing plant in northwest Switzerland using next-generation technologies to create efficiency and sustainability.
Biogen announced its intent to build a next-generation biologics manufacturing facility in the Commune of Luterbach, in Canton Solothurn in the northwestern part of Switzerland, the company announced on June 30, 2015. The project will create up to 400 new jobs beginning in 2019.
"A partnership with Canton Solothurn gives us the critical elements we need to build one of the most advanced manufacturing facilities in the world. This includes a highly favorable business environment, critical environmental resources, and access to a highly qualified workforce. Switzerland is also home to our international headquarters, and from a business standpoint, this strategic commitment helps us to effectively extend our manufacturing network," said Natascha Schill, managing director of Biogen’s Swiss affiliate, in a press release.
The signing of the pre-contract starts a public consultancy process, in which the public will be informed about the project and have the opportunity to provide input. "We look forward to providing more information about this project with the Canton and Commune residents," said Schill. "We are also excited to share more about our company’s commitment to patients, the communities in which we operate, and our belief in working in a sustainable manner. "
In building the facility, Biogen plans to use a number of new technologies. "The proposed plant will be designed around higher productivity cell lines and make use of newly available materials and components to support the next-generation manufacturing processes," said the company in an interview with BioPharm International. "On the engineering side, the plant will be built to handle the improvements in the manufacturing process and to optimize throughput by reducing turn-around times, resulting in shorter cycle times. More automation and stronger linkages with our business and quality systems will be implemented. Finally, on the operational side, there will be enhancements made around how our employees would work in the facility, and the plant would leverage new developments in paperless and electronic technology to further increase efficiencies."
Sustainability is another requirement of the facility design. Biogen announced, in a
Biogen was founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1978. The company has manufacturing facilities in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; and Hillerød, Denmark.
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