Emergent BioSolutions, a global specialty biopharmaceutical company, is expanding its Baltimore manufacturing facility on Lombard Street.
The announcement was made today in a release by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED).The expansion is slated to potentially double the company's 58,000 square-foot space and is expected to add 158 new jobs over the next four years.
DBED previously approved a $2 million conditional loan to Emergent to help start this two-phase projectphase one supported the relocation and expansion of the company's headquarters and research and development site in Gaithersburg, as well as the anticipated addition of 133 new employees.
"Emergent Biosolutions' decision to continue to invest in our State means more jobs and more opportunities for Marylanders," said DBED Secretary Mike Gill. "The company's recent expansion of its headquarters in Gaithersburg combined with this expansion project is expected to create close to 300 new jobs and helps solidify Maryland's position as a life sciences powerhouse."
"Emergent BioSolutions' expansion in Baltimore City is great news and underscores our commitment to biotechnology manufacturing and to our rich research and development environment," added William H Cole,Baltimore Development Corporation president & chief executive officer.
In 2012, Emergent's Baltimore facility was designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a Center for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing, established to facilitate advanced development of medical countermeasures and provide domestic surge manufacturing capabilities to address public health threats.
Recently, Emergent was one of the companies tapped by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to investigate producing ZMapp, an experimental drug for Ebola. The company also manufactures BioThrax (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed), the only FDA-licensed vaccine for the prevention of anthrax disease.
"Emergent has enjoyed considerable growth since first establishing its headquarters in Maryland over a decade ago," said Daniel J. Abdun-Nabi, president and chief executive officer of Emergent BioSolutions. "We are pleased to continue to expand our footprint and remain committed to making Maryland one of the most vibrant life sciences hubs in the country."
