Legend Biotech and J&J invest 150m dollars in expansion of production in Ghent
US pharma multinationals Legend Biotech and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) are investing 150 million dollars, or 138 million euros, in the expansion of their production facilities in Ghent, reported De Tijd. The investment concerns the production of therapies against multiple myeloma.
The new investment should scale up the production of cell therapies and also create additional jobs, with about 400 hires this year and another 300 hires planned next year. Production in Ghent, divided between the Obelisc and Tech Lane sites, is intended for patients in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
From Belgium, Legend Biotech and J&J distribute CAR-T cell therapies against multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer that is difficult to treat. They started clinical production at the Obelisc manufacturing facility in January 2024 and began commercial production in September last year. The Tech Lane facility is set to begin clinical production in a few weeks and is expected to gain approval to initiate commercial supply by the end of this year.
The additional investment just announced will be used to expand the new Tech Lane facility in Ghent. The construction of this expansion should start in the second half of 2025 and be ready in 2028. The addition will primarily provide supplies for the EU market.
By the end of this year, Legend Biotech and J&J aim to have more than 1,000 employees in Ghent, by 2028 to 2029 they are aiming for 1,500 to 2,000 people.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO Piotr Swat / SOPA Images / Sipa USA
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