Bayer invests $2.2bn in new Ohio manufacturing facility

Bayer is investing $2.2 billion in a new pharmaceutical manufacturing site in New Albany, Ohio, US. The decision builds on the firm’s established presence in the country and prior investment of more than $7 billion over the past five years.

Sebastian Guth, Global Chief Operating Officer, Bayer Pharmaceuticals and President, Bayer US, said: “The US is a key market for Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals division. This expansion is another important step to grow our pharmaceuticals business and to meet the demand of our customers and patients in the US, our fastest-growing pharmaceuticals market, and beyond.”

“This expansion is another important step to grow our pharmaceuticals business and to meet the demand of our customers and patients in the US, our fastest-growing pharmaceuticals market, and beyond”

Sebastian Guth, Global Chief Operating Officer, Bayer Pharmaceuticals and President

The campus will support Bayer’s portfolio, initially in oncology, cardiovascular and renal care through approximately 600 new jobs anticipated at the New Albany International Business Park as a result of the investment.

Automation will be a key feature of Bayer’s new site, with its formulation production benefitting as part of the investment. Automatic capabilities will include mixing and sieving processes, as well as material handling and processing, eg, coating suspension and tablet pressing.

The facility will be built using a stepwise approach, summating in a flexible, modular campus (view video details here). The first module, dedicated to drug substance manufacturing, is expected to become operational in 2031. A second module for drug product manufacturing is subsequently planned for 2034.

Bayer already has other US manufacturing sites alongside its headquarters in Whippany, New Jersey. These are located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Berkeley, California; Cambridge, Massachusetts; Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; and San Diego, California.

Other industry players have invested in their US manufacturing operations in recent months. In July, BeOne Medicines committed $300 million to expand its New Jersey facility, chiefly to accelerate its haematology and oncology pipeline by combining biologics and small molecule drug product manufacturing under one roof.

In June, CDMO Recipharm chose to expand its sterile manufacturing operations by investing in its fill-finish capabilities.