Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN), one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies, announced on June 28 its plans to invest $365 million to build a new manufacturing facility in New Albany, Ohio, creating 400 new jobs upon opening. The facility will feature Amgen’s most advanced assembly and final product packaging capabilities for medicines to be distributed in the U.S.
“Amgen is a global pioneer on the front lines of restoring health and providing therapies for those fighting serious illnesses such as cancer,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Attracting a biotechnology leader to the Columbus Region was a collaborative effort between the Ohio Development Services Agency, JobsOhio and its partners, and we look forward to working with Amgen as it improves healthcare throughout the world with talent from Ohio.”
Greenfield construction of the new 270,000-square-foot facility is expected to begin in the fall of 2021. Amgen will invest approximately $365 million in land acquisition, building construction and manufacturing equipment. With an expected annual payroll of approximately $40 million, Amgen will be hiring technicians, engineers, quality assurance, quality control, administrative and management positions.
“We are proud of our track record of providing a reliable supply of high-quality medicines for patients around the world,” said Amgen Executive Vice President of Operations Esteban Santos. “We are adding this additional assembly and packaging plant to our global supply chain network to support the anticipated growth in demand for Amgen medicines. We plan to include some of our most advanced digital automation technologies in this new location as we partner with the thriving business community of the Columbus Region to further expand biotechnology regionally.”
Founded in 1980 in Thousand Oaks, California, Amgen today serves millions of patients around the world suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. Amgen’s total revenues in 2020 exceeded $25 billion and it is one of the 30 companies that comprise the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Amgen has nearly 25,000 employees worldwide, including more than 14,000 in the U.S. with operations in California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico and Rhode Island. The Amgen Foundation is the principal channel for Amgen’s corporate philanthropy and, to date, has contributed over $325 million to nonprofit organizations advancing excellence in science education and strengthening the communities where the company’s employees live and work.
“We look forward to building strong connections with the New Albany community,” said Amgen Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Arleen Paulino. “The vibrant business environment, access to a growing talent pool, favorable operating costs and central location from a logistics perspective were all important reasons behind our decision to locate here.”
The Amgen facility in New Albany will be built to exacting environmental standards, consistent with the company’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2027. The facility also will support Amgen’s participation as a founding member of OneTen, a coalition of many of the world’s largest, best-known companies that aims collectively to hire one million Black Americans into well-paying jobs over the next ten years, with a specific focus on those without a four-year college degree.
“We are excited to welcome Amgen to New Albany. They are a tremendous fit, from their company values to the quality of their products, and we are glad they saw the benefit of New Albany’s robust infrastructure and speed to market capabilities,” said New Albany Mayor Sloan Spalding. “Today is big win for our Region with respect to what Amgen brings to all of Ohio for manufacturing, research and development, education and workforce opportunities.”
The Ohio State University, led by President Kristina M. Johnson, proactively offered to support Amgen’s workforce and innovation needs by committing to co-develop an internship program and other experiential learning opportunities. Amgen’s selection of the Columbus Region for a high-tech manufacturing facility illustrates the growing demand for STEM students graduating from the Region’s education institutions, while highlighting the importance of the $1 billion+ Innovation District on 270 acres of university-owned land.
“Amgen will be a welcomed neighbor to the many global innovators currently located in the New Albany International Business Park,” said President of New Albany Company William Ebbing. “Through the collaborative efforts of JobsOhio, One Columbus, the City of New Albany, AEP and our team at New Albany Company, we were able to quickly deliver on Amgen’s needs for growth. It’s a terrific win for the state of Ohio, the Region and New Albany.”
From groundbreaking innovation to high-tech manufacturing, the Columbus Region is home to one of the most dynamic life science industries in the country. Companies spanning the life science industry have operations focused on R&D, technology and manufacturing. Amgen’s investment is the latest in a series of biopharma announcements in the Region over the past 12 months. From Sarepta’s new Gene Therapy Center of Excellence to Battelle’s launch of AmplifyBio, NCH’s launch of Andelyn Biosciences and Forge Biologic’s $130 million series B, the Columbus Region is on the cutting-edge of innovation in the life sciences industry. New Albany is located in Franklin County, which is home to an estimated 1,316,756 residents.
About New Albany, Ohio
New Albany, Ohio, is an aspirational, welcoming, and collaborative community of 11,000 residents located fifteen miles northeast of Columbus, Ohio’s capital city, and ten miles from the Port Columbus International Airport. Recognized as the best city to live in Ohio and one of “America’s Best 50 Cities to Live”, New Albany is committed to its pillars of lifelong learning, the arts, health and the environment. New Albany is also home to one of the largest planned international business parks in the Midwest, featuring shovel-ready sites, triple-feed electric power and fiber optic capabilities for companies of all sizes. Learn more at www.newalbanyohstg.wpenginepowered.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. #newalbanyohio
About JobsOhio
JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio through Find Your Ohio. JobsOhio works with six regional partners across Ohio Dayton Development Coalition, Ohio Southeast, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow the company on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
About One Columbus
As the economic development organization for the 11-county Columbus Region, One Columbus’ mission is to lead a comprehensive regional growth strategy that develops and attracts the world’s most competitive companies, grows a highly adaptive workforce, prepares our communities for the future, and inspires corporate, academic and public innovation throughout the Columbus Region. One Columbus expertly guides companies through the location decision process. Through strategic business outreach and customized research, the One Columbus team leverages public, private and institutional partnerships to grow the Columbus Region’s economy and strengthen its national and international competitiveness. Funding is received from more than 300 private organizations, local governments, academic institutions and JobsOhio. Learn more at ColumbusRegion.com.
One Columbus Media Contact
Amy Harman
614-225-6070
ah@columbusregion.com
Amgen Media Contact
Atu Darko
805-447-4403
adarko@amgen.com
