SANFORD – Pfizer will buy a Sanford manufacturing site from Abzena, the companies announced today.
The facility, once the purchase and future planned construction occurs, will employ an estimated 300 workers including 100 workers who are already employed.
A statement from the company notes that the facility will have “extensive capabilities for producing biologics drug substance and provides additional manufacturing capacity allowing Pfizer to help accelerate its innovative pipeline.”
Pfizer already employs more than 4,000 workers in the state and has invested $1.4 billion in North Carolina, according to a statement.
“Biologics continue to be an integral part of Pfizer’s pipeline and this acquisition will expand our research, clinical and commercial manufacturing capacity and help us accelerate the development of our pipeline products as well as support our Pfizer CentreOne customers,” said Mike McDermott, Chief Global Supply Officer, Executive Vice President at Pfizer in a statement.
Abzena announced it would invest in the Sanford facility in 2021.
“Furthermore, this site is located near our existing Rocky Mount and Sanford manufacturing sites, enabling access to turn-key services spanning large molecule drug substance through fill finish,” said McDermott. “We’re excited to welcome the site into our manufacturing network as we continue to enhance our expertise and offerings.”
Pfizer announced it would invest an additional $500 million in an expansion of its Sanford facility in 2019.
The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2023. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We’re thrilled to announce this agreement with Pfizer,” said Matt Stober, CEO of Abzena in a statement. “I am very proud of the facility and our colleagues who worked tirelessly in its construction, and we look forward to building our future collaboration with Pfizer.”
