Enzene Biosciences Launches US Facility with $70M Investment

Enzene Biosciences, a subsidiary of Alkem Labs, has launched a new manufacturing facility in the US with a $70 million investment. The facility, based in New Jersey, is expected to create 200 jobs. Enzene's connected continuous manufacturing technology offers cost-efficiencies and faster processing than traditional biotech drug manufacturing methods. The move is seen as a response to President Trump's calls to boost local manufacturing and create employment.

Enzene Biosciences, a subsidiary of India's Alkem Laboratories, has announced the launch of a new manufacturing facility in Hopewell, New Jersey, with a $70 million investment. The facility, set to create 200 jobs, is a strategic move to increase the company's capacity and respond to growing demand from global clients. The plant is designed to incorporate Enzene's connected continuous manufacturing technology, EnzeneX, which promises cost-efficiencies and faster processing compared to traditional biotech drug manufacturing methods.

EnzeneX, a continuous manufacturing platform, is expected to deliver higher production rates and enable US-based clients to rapidly advance their early/pre-clinical assets to later development or commercial stages. The technology is fully automated, offering faster turnaround times and greater control over the manufacturing process. According to Enzene, this platform can achieve 10x higher productivity in upstream processes and 25-50% productivity in downstream processes compared to traditional methods. Additionally, continuous manufacturing minimizes product contact with cell culture fluid, improving quality and flexibility.

The location in New Jersey is ideal due to the presence of numerous life science firms, investments, and facilities. For instance, Eli Lilly operates a 25,000 square-foot facility in Branchburg, and CDMO Catalent acquired Erytech's Princeton facility in April 2022. PTC Therapeutics also opened a gene therapy manufacturing facility in Hopewell in October 2021. Enzene's spokesperson highlighted the area's large talent pool, expressing confidence in hiring over 300 workers.

The new facility is anticipated to be fully operational by June 2025 and has already begun reserving capacity for continuous manufacturing and/or fed batch for customers. This expansion aligns with Enzene's mission to create access equity across the global healthcare ecosystem, particularly for small and mid-sized businesses struggling to find clinical phase capacity.

Enzene's move is seen as a response to President Trump's calls to boost local manufacturing and create employment. The facility's investment and job creation are expected to contribute positively to the local economy and support the growth of the US biopharmaceutical sector.

References:
[1] https://www.bioprocessintl.com/facilities-capacity/enzene-biosciences-preps-first-us-manufacturing-site