Abraxis Health, a fully-integrated personalized healthcare division of Abraxis
BioScience, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABII), today announced the dedication of its new
manufacturing facility in Phoenix, Arizona. The state of the art biopharma manufacturing
plant represents a $70 million investment by LA-based Abraxis, and will create
up to 200 high tech jobs. The new facility will manufacture ABRAXANE®, the
first solvent-free chemotherapy treatment option for metastatic breast cancer,
which was developed using Abraxis BioScience's proprietary nab® technology
platform. The company now has multiple agreements in place for the development
of novel, insoluble compounds using the nanobiologics technology employed at
the Phoenix plant.
The facility will be the world’s largest and most sophisticated protein
nanobiologics manufacturing plant, with annual production capacity of over 10
million units, and the capability to expand to 20 million units, suitable for
worldwide distribution. The site, formerly owned by Watson Pharmaceuticals,
was purchased by Abraxis in July 2007. Abraxis has hired more than 100 former
Watson employees, recruited additional staff from among the local skilled workforce,
and will continue to recruit as the facility ramps up production.
"The outlook for Abraxis is immensely encouraging," said founder
and Chairman Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong. “As we continue to grow, these new
premises in Phoenix will become the flagship manufacturing facility for our
cutting edge technology."
State Attorney General Terry Goddard commented, “Arizona is proud to
welcome Abraxis as a powerful new addition to our growing life sciences sector.”
"This is great news for Phoenix," said Mayor Phil Gordon. "We
are delighted that Abraxis has chosen our city for this state of the art nanotech
manufacturing plant, bringing highly skilled jobs and a welcome boost for our
economy.”
State, city and business leaders attended today’s ceremony to dedicate
the new facility, including Attorney General Goddard and Mayor Phil Gordon.
Posted November 4th, 2009
