Thermo Fisher Finishes Dry Powder Media Plant Expansion

Life sciences solutions firm Thermo Fisher Scientific said this month a $650 million multi-year investment to expand its dry powder media manufacturing plant in Grand Island, NY has reached completion. The project increases the capacity of the site to support growing demand for technology and materials used in the production of vaccines and biologic therapies.

Over 45,000 sq ft of Animal Origin Free (AOF) manufacturing space was added to the location, where the company’s Advanced Granulation Technology (AGT) format and other AOF Dry Powder Media (DPM) products will be produced. Funds were used to duplicate the existing manufacturing facility, process capabilities, and equipment to create production redundancy and cut lead times.

“Our expanded Grand Island site represents a significant milestone in our investment to double our total manufacturing capacity by the end of 2023,” said Kate Torchilin, Ph.D, president, biologicals and chemicals, Thermo Fisher Scientific, in a release. “With the harmonized capabilities of our global manufacturing sites that enable us to prove equivalency in manufacturing, we’re able to support current demand while priming for future growth and continuously enhancing our customer experience globally.”

Thermo Fisher has produced Gibco brand products at the Grand Island site for over six decades. The products are used or have been used to develop and produce over 250 commercial biologics.

“The story of Thermo Fisher’s presence on Grand Island speaks to the longstanding positive reputation of the biomedical research community in Western New York,” Congressman Brian Higgins said in a statement. “Gibco, originally founded by researchers at Roswell Park, continues to provide critical products to laboratories in our country and around the world, and the value of their work has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now employing over 1,600, I am proud to share in the celebration of Thermo Fisher’s continued investments and commitment to the community in Western New York.”

About 100 new jobs will be created as a result of the project, including operations, manufacturing, R&D, and engineering roles. The Grand Island location currently has a headcount of more than 1,600 workers.