Sanofi, a global healthcare company, recently held the groundbreaking for its formulation and filling facility at the Swiftwater site in Pennsylvania.
The facility will be a two-story building with Good Manufacturing Practices formulation, filling, and support areas. The filler will be capable of filling syringes and vials using isolator barrier technology and single-use technology.
“This groundbreaking event marks another significant step in our longstanding relationship with BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority),” Rakesh Kakkar, Sanofi U.S. head of vaccine manufacturing and supply, said. “Past pandemics confirmed that public-private partnerships are key to providing a relevant and quick answer to pandemic situations. Our Swiftwater site, and Sanofi teams globally, have the highest level of expertise in helping to protect people against flu and its complications. We are committed to maintaining continuous efforts to prepare for the next flu pandemic.”
BARDA is part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The manufacturing facility is one of three significant manufacturing investments at the site as part of a contract awarded to BARDA in December 2019 to increase domestic production capabilities for recombinant pandemic influenza vaccines.
The contract expands the Swiftwater site’s capacity to be a center of excellence for pandemic preparedness.