BioChem Pharma Opens Vaccine Manufacturing Plant
On Thursday, May 21, BioChem Pharma Inc. (Ste. Foy, Quebec) officially opened the doors on a new manufacturing and research center for its subsidiary, BioChem Vaccines. The center was constructed near Quebec City area at a cost of $35 million (Canadian).
With a surface area of 120,000 square feet, the new center houses facilities for producing a wide range of approved vaccines and for developing new vaccines. In addition, it houses the head office of BioChem Vaccines, which employs 160 people.
"The ultra-modern facilities that we are inaugurating today provide BioChem Vaccines with the tools necessary to become an international player," said Francesco Bellini, CEO of BioChem Pharma. "and demonstrate BioChem Pharma's commitment to developing the vaccine sector."
Claude Vezeau, president of BioChem Vaccines, added that "By meeting the strictest norms and the highest quality standards in vaccine development and manufacturing, our new facilities will become a springboard for exports."
Demand for vaccines worldwide is expected to undergo phenomenal growth in the coming years. According to data from BioChem Pharma, worldwide vaccine sales should increase from the $3.6 billion (U.S.) in 1996 to more than $7 billion by 2000. Besides a robust economic outlook, the vaccine field is not lacking for science either. The explosion of knowledge, particularly in molecular biology and genomics, opens up the possibility of developing safer and more effective vaccines, as well as the opportunity to discover new ones.
Major R&D Initiatives
BioChem Vaccines' research and development efforts have brought the company to the forefront of the global vaccine marketplace. Among the firm's most promising products is a new influenza vaccine made using a novel, proprietary cell-culture process.
BioChem Vaccines is also developing a nasally-delivered version of its influenza vaccines, which will greatly facilitate administration and acceptance of vaccine therapies in individuals who cannot tolerate injections. In addition, nasal delivery will make vaccines less expensive, a big marketing advantage in developing countries. In collaboration with Laval University Hospital Center (Laval, Quebec), BioChem is also working on a whole new series of innovative recombinant protein vaccines to prevent deadly bacterial infections such as meningitis and pneumonia.
By Angelo DePalma
For more information: Karen Eugeni, BioChem Pharma, 275 Armand-Frappier Blvd., Laval, Quebec H7V 4A7 Canada. Tel: 514-681-1744. Please note: This area code will change to (450) as of June 13, 1998.