GSK investing CA$30m & adding 70 jobs at Ontario plant
Expansion of the Mississauga, Ontario plant protects the jobs of 300 people, adds another 70 positions and extends production capabilities at the facility. In particular, the addition of manufacturing capabilities for dermatology products moves the plant into a whole new area of GSK's business.
“This investment supports our place in the global network as a supplier of foams, ointments, lotions, liquids and other niche products. It is the direct result of the strength of our Canadian manufacturing”, said Sue West, vice president, global manufacturing and supply at GSK.
Expansion of the plant will also add capacity for producing Coreg CR (carvedilol tablets) and Relenza (zanamivir dry powder inhalation). GSK has committed more than CA$30m to the project and the state of Ontario is providing a further CA$3.6m.
Providing support to attract investment is a central component of Ontario's job creation and retention strategy. In its 2011 budget, released in March, Ontario said it will make strategic investments in private sector partnerships to retain nearly 10,000 jobs.
“This major investment from GSK is a perfect example of innovation investment. It provides a highly effective way of progressing and commercialising cutting-edge research”, said Russel Williams, president of Canadian pharmaceutical association Rx&D.
Investment in the Ontario site follows the creation of a development fund by GSK and Canadian group MaRS Innovation. The partnership, called the GSK-MaRS Innovation Fund, will support commercialisation of products created by 16 Canadian research institutions.
GSK breaks ground in Philadelphia
In other news GSK has broken ground on its 205,000 sq ft, four-storey building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The site is due to be completed around the start of 2013, after which GSK employees based at One and Three Franklin Plaza buildings will relocate to the new location at the Navy Yard.
“Designed to increase collaboration and communication, the new space will inspire our employees to and help them find the innovative solutions that will improve the health of the patients we serve”, said Deirdre Connelly, president of North America pharmaceuticals at GSK.
