Abbott opens manufacturing plant for Humira

Abbott has officially opened its new biologics manufacturing site for the long-term supply of Humira (adalimumab) and other future pharmaceutical products. Abbott Biotechnology, the new facility, is based in Puerto Rico.

The site has been granted approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for the commercial production of Humira for patients in the US, with the facility becoming the firm’s main plant for the manufacturing of the compound.

Humira is a fully-human monoclonal antibody indicated for a range for a range of conditions in Europe, including ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Lawrence Kraus, vice-president of manufacturing and global pharmaceutical operations at the company, said: “This new facility is a key milestone for Abbott as we move to focus our resources and future growth on biologic and potent-drug manufacturing.”

He added that the infrastructure of the new plant can execute the difficult and precise procedures involved in the manufacture of biologics and enhance the supply of Humira to patients who require it.

Earlier this month, Abbott announced that it had submitted a filing with the European Medicines Agency for permission to market Humira as a treatment for moderate to severe cases of psoriasis following the publication of positive clinical trial results.