Biogen: Groundbreaking ceremony for production plant in Luterbach
On January 29, Biogen celebrated the official start of construction of its new biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Luterbach in the canton of Solothurn with a groundbreaking ceremony. The company is investing around CHF 1 billion in the facility.
With the new production facility, which is scheduled to start operations in early 2019, Biogen aims to meet the growing global demand for biopharmaceuticals and expand existing capacity. Up to 400 new jobs will be created, the company says.
The production plant will initially be equipped with two production cells, each with four fermenters, each with a capacity of 15,000 liters. If the need arises, the plant can be quickly expanded thanks to its modular design. In addition to the production units, the 24,000-square-meter plant will also include laboratories, offices, supply buildings, and a warehouse.
According to the company, Biogen's decision to locate its new manufacturing facility in Switzerland was based on several favorable site factors: a skilled workforce, an excellent education system, proximity to Biogen's international headquarters in Zug, synergies with existing manufacturing activities in the region and a favorable economic environment. (ah)
