Abraxis Buys Pfizer PR Plant

Abraxis BioScience will purchase Pfizer’s Cruce Davila manufacturing facility in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico. This 56-acre site consists of a 172,000-sq.-ft. validated manufacturing plant with capabilities of producing EU and US compliant injectable pharmaceuticals, as well as protein based biologics and metered dosed inhalers. In addition, the acquisition includes a state-of-the-art, computer-controlled 90,000-sq.-ft. API manufacturing plant, and two support facilities with quality assurance and laboratories, totaling 262,000 sq. ft.

This facility, which is expected to employ approximately 400 to 500 people when fully-operational, will provide a third manufacturing site using Abraxis’ proprietary nanoparticle albumin bound technology to produce chemotherapeutics such as Abraxane for Injectable Suspension (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin-bound), the first commercial product based on this technology.

Under the terms of the agreement, Abraxis will lease the chemical raw material plant back to Pfizer to continue the manufacturing of Pfizer’s celecoxib, the active ingredient of Celebrex. Financial details were not disclosed.

The fully-equipped facility adds to Abraxis’ manufacturing capacity in Melrose Park, IL, Grand Island, NY, and Barbengo, Switzerland and expands its European and cGMP manufacturing capabilities to provide infrastructure for worldwide growth.

“We have implemented a strategic plan to grow Abraxis BioScience into a global, fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with worldwide capabilities in drug development, manufacturing and marketing. The acquisition of a state-of-the-art raw material and finished dosage plant from Pfizer is the first step in implementing this plan,” said Patrick Soon-Shiong, M.D., Abraxis’ chief executive officer and executive chairman. “We are very excited about this expansion into Puerto Rico. It is well known for its quality manufacturing talent and has an excellent reputation for working closely with businesses.”