BD Biosciences to open new manufacturing facility

BD Biosciences, a division of BD, has announced the planned opening of its animal-free, antibiotic free cell culture media manufacturing facility.

The plant is forecast to open in late 2009 and will manufacture products controlled for animal-origin component raw materials to the most stringent level available – the tertiary level.

BD said the 90,000 square-foot site, situated in Miami, Florida, was originally built to manufacture pharmaceuticals and is currently being fitted with modern cell culture media milling, blending and sterile liquid filling equipment.

The company added the plant will fully-serve the culture media needs of those working with mammalian, microbial or stem cell lines, with the products currently used to help make a range of cell therapy products, biopharmaceuticals and bioengineered vaccines.

Tom Isett, vice president of advanced bioprocessing at BD Biosciences, said: “We understand how important it is for our bioprocess customers to have access to high-performance media with the lowest possible regulatory risks.”

He added the company’s new AF2 facility will offer superior cell culture media quality and a new standard for safety.

Last week, BD announced plans to sponsor a unique campaign to raise awareness of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis.