Bayer HealthCare is building a new facility center in Wuppertal on an area of some 1,000 square meters for the biotechnological production of pharmaceuticals to be used in clinical trials. The investment in this project amounts to 35 million Euros, thereby enabling Bayer to expand its competences in the area of biological products. "For a research-oriented pharmaceutical and chemical company like Bayer, innovation is the key to future growth. The new cell biology facility center represents an investment in our long-term success. To this end, Wuppertal is able offer the ideal framework conditions", said Dr. Wolfgang Plischke, member of the Board of Management at Bayer AG responsible for Innovation, Technology and Environment, on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone for the facility center on December 13, 2010, in the pharmaceutical and chemical park. The new facility will go into operation in late 2012.
Biologicals are drugs that are manufactured by biotechnological methods. In doing so, the main focus of Bayer HealthCare is on antibodies, coagulation factors and other therapeutic proteins. "In this way, we can increase the prospects of being able to offer new drugs in the fight against serious diseases such as cancer," said Professor Dr. Andreas Busch, member of the Executive Committee at Bayer HealthCare.
In the past few years, the company has continued to expand its competences in the field of biologicals research. "The new facility center will enable us to increase our production capacities in order to manufacture enough material for the late phases in clinical development for an increased number of potential active ingredients," said Busch.
The building, which will have a height of 20 meters, will be equipped according to the latest technological standards and incorporate all stages of a biotechnological procedure. Actual production will take place across two storeys with a total of 1,370 square meters for so-called "cleanrooms". These will be accessible exclusively via air lock systems. The amount of airborne germs and particles must not exceed specific limits. Technology areas, offices and social rooms are spread across another three storeys. The building will be a multipurpose facility with great flexibility, in which 20 highly qualified members of staff will manufacture a variety of products.
"The new facility center illustrates once again how well-integrated the location is. From research and development to the production of active substances, we cover all important disciplines - namely those related to chemical and biological active ingredients," said Dr. Klaus Jelich, Location Manager at Bayer HealthCare in Wuppertal.
About Bayer HealthCare
The Bayer Group is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer HealthCare, a subgroup of Bayer AG with annual sales of EUR 15,988 million (2009), is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Medical Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions. Bayer HealthCare's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. Bayer HealthCare has a global workforce of 53.400 employees and is represented in more than 100 countries. Find more information at http://www.bayerhealthcare.com.