Nanotherapeutics Nears Home Stretch for Department of Defense's $150 Million NANO-ADM Biomanufacturing Plant in Florida

Reported by Annette Kreuger, Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Construction is well under way on Nanotherapeutics Incorporated's (Alachua, Florida) Advanced Development and Manufacturing Center (NANO-ADM) in Alachua, Florida. First reported in January 2013 as part of Industrial Info's Pharmaceutical Online Database, the $150 million project is located on a 30-acre site in Copeland Park. It will allow the company to fulfill a contract awarded to Nanotherapeutics by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) in early 2013.

As the DOD's prime contractor, Nanotherapeutics is responsible for establishing and operating a facility that will provide Medical Countermeasures Advanced Development and Manufacturing (MCM-ADM) capabilities to the agency. The goal of the contract is to enable fast and effective development of medical countermeasures that are designed to protect and treat military against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks and outbreaks of naturally occurring, emerging and genetically engineered infectious diseases.

As the leader of the NANO-ADM Center, Nanotherapeutics will head all Medical Countermeasures (MCM) development and domestic vaccine manufacturing, including "surge capacity," in the event of unforeseen emergencies or disasters. The company will fulfill its responsibilities both in-house and through a teaming network of 16 partners.

When open, the NANO-ADM Center will be available to both the DOD and other third parties, providing access to a state-of-the-art, 165,000-square-foot facility featuring single-use equipment. The Center will integrate new biomanufacturing technologies with existing capabilities, enabling the development of both small-molecule and biologic products. The design includes space for vector development, quality control, a development pilot plant, manufacturing core, a warehouse, office/administration space and utilities.

Designed by RS&H Architects (Jacksonville, Florida), the NANO-ADM will offer flexible, advanced-development capabilities designed to reduce costs and scheduling risks, as well as protect client intellectual property. Eventually, the center will offer its services and capabilities in MCM and infectious disease-vaccine manufacturing to broader customer bases, including other U.S. federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as industry.

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company (Tampa, Florida) began construction of the NANO-ADM in late 2013, and expects completion later this year. The DOD contract could be worth more than $360 million over 10 years. With the addition of the NANO-ADM, Nanotherapeutics will add an estimated 95 jobs, bringing its total number of employees in Florida to 200.

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