Bristol Myers Squibb to build $660m biologics facility

Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (BMS) is to build a new facility for biologics in the US.

A statement released by the company said that its board of directors had approved plans to spend $660 million (?380 million) on the centre, which will be built in a modular design to allow later expansion.

The building will be used to manufacture multiple biologics products on a large scale. BMS currently has one self-developed biologic on the market. Orenicia was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis ? it has been available to patients since last month.

Erbitux, co-marketed with ImClone Systems, received marketing approval from the FDA on March 1st under an indication to treat squamous cell carcinoma.

Other recent approval successes outside of the biologics domain include Emsam. The monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) anti-depressive skin patch was approved by the FDA after studies showed that the delivery method reduced the risk of complications commonly associated with other MAOIs.

President of BMS Pharmaceuticals in the US Anthony C Hooper will speak to an audience on the firm’s plans for biologics and in other areas at the Cowen & Co 26th Annual Health Care Conference on Thursday.

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