GE Investing $7M in Single-Use Technology Manufacturing

Positioning itself to meet the demands of a growing market for single-use bioprocessing technologies – projected $3 billion by 2020 – GE Healthcare’s Life Sciences business is investing $7 million in the expansion and automation of its single-use technology manufacturing facility in Westborough, MA, the company announced Monday. The facility will produce single-use products, including cell growth bags, under a newly-formed alliance with Sealed Air Corp.

“Single-use bioprocessing technologies are playing an increasingly vital role to biologic producers, helping them to accelerate capacity expansion and improve productivity to support faster delivery of targeted therapies to patient populations,” a company press release said.

GE said it will triple the amount of production-oriented clean room space and install automated production lines that will improve efficiency and process control. The products produced at the site will be made from a new type of film for biomanufacturing developed by GE in conjunction with Sealed Air.

The company also recently expanded its extractables and leachables (E&L) analytical laboratory in Uppsala, Sweden to support in-depth characterization of E&L compounds and their impact on production processes and future novel single-use technology materials.

“Biopharmaceuticals are complex to make, requiring a dependable, consistent supply of high quality manufacturing technologies. Single-use is top of mind for our customers, for its ability to flex production to meet market needs,” said Jan Makela, general manager of BioProcess at GE Healthcare’s Life Science business. “The launch of our new film with Sealed Air, the investment in single-use manufacturing in Westborough, MA, and the enlarged E&L capabilities in Sweden confirm our on-going commitment to minimizing risk and assuring security of supply for our customers around the globe.”

“Our enhanced position in single-use bioprocessing ensures we are fully prepared to support the industry’s rapid growth,” Makela said.

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