Simtra Biopharma Solutions (Simtra), formerly known as Baxter BioPharma Solutions, is taking its services to the next level with the expansion of its manufacturing facility in Bloomington, Indiana, USA, and the establishment of a new corporate headquarters in New Jersey.
Recently acquired by Advent International and Warburg Pincus, two world-leading global private equity investors, the new projects are set to propel the premier injectable contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) to greater heights, expanding its manufacturing capabilities and creating hundreds of jobs.
The muti-million-dollar investments will ensure Simtra’s offering keeps pace with the rapid changes currently taking place across the biopharma industry. The new manufacturing building and corporate office will consolidate Simtra’s status as a world-leading player in biopharma and ensure it continues to provide outstanding service for its customers across the globe.
Levelling up
Simtra announced in February 2024 that it was investing more than $250 million into expanding its Bloomington sterile fill/finish manufacturing campus. A new state-of-the-art 150,000 square foot building will be built to house two high-speed automated isolator syringe fill lines, as well as a new high-speed isolator vial line equipped with three 30 square metre lyophilizers (freeze-driers). The construction of the building will commence in June 2024 and is estimated to finish by late 2026.
The two new process suites are each to be fitted with their own dedicated formulation and compounding rooms. Utilizing existing facility infrastructure, the expansion will also support the addition of a dedicated clinical line to support Simtra’s growing development and clinical business. Forecast to be ready to take on projects by summer 2025, the clinical line will allow the Bloomington facility to accommodate a greater number of projects in Phase I or II of development.
“We are experiencing a broad increase in demand and need for injectable manufacturing in therapeutic classes such as GLP-1 drugs and product categories such Antibody-Drug-Conjugates as well as overall continued growth of the oncology pipeline,” says Franco Negron, CEO of Simtra BioPharma Solutions. “Our customers consider our sites in Halle and Bloomington as an extension of their manufacturing network, so we are thrilled to further enhance our capabilities and resources to help them meet their respective goals.”
The announcement of the Bloomington facility complements the $100 million expansion of Simtra’s sister campus in Halle/Westfalen, Germany, announced back in 2021. Following a previous expansion in 2015 to improve the facility’s oncology offering, the expansion is on track to be operational later this year and will greatly expand the company’s footprint. An aseptic syringe filling line, lyophilization, and other state-of-the-art equipment are all being added to the German site. Together with the Bloomington facility, Simtra’s operational capabilities will be enhanced even further to ensure its status as a world-leading player in the sterile injectables market.
A new global corporate hub
Alongside scaling up these sites in Europe and United States, Simtra is also investing in its corporate arm through the establishment of a brand-new headquarters in Parsippany, New Jersey, USA. Envisioned as a communication and logistical hub, the new office will centralize Simtra’s corporate management and better enable day-to-day operations.
Moving to the new HQ will also cement Simtra’s status as a global presence in biopharma, serving as a hub for clientele from across the world whilst simultaneously expanding its recruiting reach.
“We are thrilled to establish our new headquarters in Parsippany, marking a significant milestone in our corporate journey,” says Negron. “This relocation underscores our unwavering dedication to advancing the CDMO sector while delivering unparalleled value to our customers and their patients worldwide. Our commitment to integrity, quality, and technical expertise remains steadfast as we continue to set new standards of excellence in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing.”
The three sites together will work in harmony to deliver excellence in manufacturing and customer service for all of Simtra’s clients around the world. Negron notes: “This expansion is the latest in a series of strategic, long-term investments to ensure that Simtra continues to grow with and for our customers.”
For more information about how Simtra BioPharma Solutions manufacturing expertise can support your project, download the paper below.
