Nitto Denko Avecia Inc. has opened its new oligonucleotide API manufacturing facility in Milford, MA. The expansion adds 20,000 sq.-ft. of manufacturing and office space at the and provides CGMP oligonucleotide manufacturing capacity up to 1.8mol. The total capacity of Avecia’s Milford site has now more than doubled up to 3.0mol, which makes Avecia in Milford, MA the largest oligonucleotide manufacturing site in the world.

According to Avecia’s president Detlef Rethage, “This expansion will help Avecia’s clients to receive timely oligonucleotide API to advance their drug development programs in clinical trials as planned. “Avecia takes pride that our engineers have introduced novel technology, executed this expansion in record time, and in close collaboration with A/Z Corporation to ensure the timely supply of novel oligonucleotide therapeutics,” said Rethage.

Avecia has added more than 120 jobs in the last 12 months in Milford and currently has more than 50 open positions at its four locations in MA, OH, and CA.  The new positions will specialize in microbiology, analytical chemistry, manufacturing, quality assurance and engineering.