Abbott opens biotech manufacturing plant in Puerto Rico

Abbott on April 10 announced the official opening of its new state-of-the-art biologics manufacturing facility in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, to support the long-term supply of its leading biologic agent, HUMIRA (adalimumab), and other future biologics. The new facility, Abbott Biotechnology Limited (ABL), received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in February to commercially produce HUMIRA for the U.S. market.

"This new facility is a key milestone for Abbott as we move to focus our resources and future growth on biologic and potent-drug manufacturing," said Lawrence Kraus, vice president of manufacturing, global pharmaceutical operations, Abbott. "The advanced, high-quality infrastructure of ABL can meet the exceptionally challenging and stringent processes of biologic manufacturing. With this state-of-the-art facility, we can supply HUMIRA to the growing number of patients who have come to rely on this breakthrough product."

ABL is now the main production facility for HUMIRA, the only fully human monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in the U.S. and Europe. The drug is also approved in the U.S. to treat Crohn's disease. This new plant has significantly more production capacity than the other manufacturing facility for HUMIRA, the Abbott Bioresearch Center (ABC) in Worcester, Mass. The ABC site will now serve as a supporting production facility for HUMIRA and will focus on Abbott's growing biologics research and development portfolio.

"Abbott's new facility expands Puerto Rico's growing presence as the Bio Island. We fully support Abbott's operations in Puerto Rico and will continue to improve our business climate to facilitate future investment among high technology companies like Abbott," said Hon. Anibal Acevedo-Vila, Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. "Puerto Rico has been a global leader in manufacturing pharmaceutical products for more than 40 years. Our unique combination of incentives, skilled workforce, strong infrastructure and excellent business climate enable us to partner with global industry leaders like Abbott. With the growing presence of Abbott and others, we have the necessary tools to become a global leader in biotechnology as well."

The new plant is Abbott's single-largest capital investment to date, costing approximately $450 million. With this investment, Abbott can achieve large-scale production volumes in biologic manufacturing. In addition to producing HUMIRA, the 330,000-square-foot facility is designed for large-scale production of future products in Abbott's pipeline that will require advanced manufacturing technologies.

"Abbott is committed to Puerto Rico and proud to help the commonwealth emerge as a world-class base for biotechnology innovation," said Neil Aylward, divisional vice president of Puerto Rico operations, Abbott. "ABL and our other operations in Puerto Rico will continue to play an important role in supporting Abbott as we continue to bring important, life-changing products to patients around the world."

About Abbott Puerto Rico

Since establishing operations on the island in 1968, Abbott has invested more than $1 billion in its Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, site. The company also has manufacturing operations in Puerto Rico at Jayuya and Dorado, as well as commercial operations in San Juan and a distribution center in Guaynabo. Abbott is one of the top five health care companies in Puerto Rico, employing approximately 2,400 people. In addition to producing HUMIRA at the new ABL plant, Abbott also manufactures Biaxin, Depakote and Synthroid in Puerto Rico.