Gilbane team at Alnylan Biopharmaceutical ground breaking
Boston – State and community officials, including Charlie Baker, the Governor of Massachusetts; Kimberly Haugstad, executive director of the Hemophilia Federation of America; Travis McCready, president and chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center and Lisa Nelson, senior district representative to U.S. Congressman Joseph Kennedy III, were in attendance to celebrate the official breaking of ground for Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Norton.
Gilbane will serve as construction manager for the new 200,000sf state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that will supply drug substance for RNAi (RNA interference) therapeutics for Alnylam’s clinical and commercial needs. The facility is expected to be operational in 2018 and will initially employ approximately 150 new full-time employees. The location of the new facility, selected in close collaboration with Commonwealth and local officials, demonstrates Alnylam’s ongoing commitment to Massachusetts.
“Alnylam’s decision to locate their biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Massachusetts speaks to our Commonwealth’s success in supporting an innovative economic environment and talented workforce,” said Governor Charlie Baker.
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“The energy and excitement at the event was contagious and it is sure to grow as the new facility develops from a vision into reality,” said Ryan Hutchins, Senior Vice President. “Construction involving biopharmaceutical facilities requires precision, vital documentation, compliance with stringent regulations and a superior commitment to safety. The team we have dedicated to this project have exceptional depth of experience constructing biopharmaceutical facilities. We are truly honored to be a part of Alnylam’s growth in Massachusetts.”
“We are excited to begin development of our new flagship multi-product manufacturing facility with the Gilbane team,” said Al Boyle, Senior Vice President, Technical Operations at Alnylam. “This facility represents a key next step in Alnylam’s transition toward a commercial stage company.”
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“This flagship multiproduct facility represents a key next step in Alnylam’s transition toward a commercial stage company. Increased manufacturing capability is vital to support our rapidly growing pipeline of 10 clinical stage programs, two of which are in Phase 3 trials,” said John Maraganore, PhD, chief executive officer of Alnylam.
“The Massachusetts talent pool, along with strong support from state and local partners in the Baker administration, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and the town of Norton were critical to our ultimate decision to establish this manufacturing facility in Norton,” said Maraganore.
“The development of Alnylam’s manufacturing facility in Norton is further evidence that the State of Massachusetts can support the needs of integrated biotechnology companies such as Alnylam, through the entire biopharmaceutical life cycle, from discovery to development to manufacturing to sales and marketing,” said Travis McCready, President and Chief Executive Officer, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center.
“The Hemophilia Federation of America is dedicated to serving the needs of patients and families affected by hemophilia and other rare bleeding disorders,” said Kimberly Haugstad, Executive Director of the Hemophilia Federation of America. “With the development of this manufacturing facility, Alnylam demonstrates its commitment and responsibility to the patient community as it strives to provide innovative new treatment options.”
