BeiGene continued its global expansion march with the opening of its $800 million U.S. flagship biologics manufacturing and R&D facility in Hopewell, New Jersey.
The 400,000-square-foot production site, which was constructed over a three-year period, is expected to “create hundreds of skilled high-tech jobs at the site by the end of 2025,” the company said in a July 23 press release.
BeiGene, which boasts more than 30 molecules across its portfolio, is focused on producing oncology drugs using innovative approaches such as targeted protein degraders and antibody-drug conjugates as well as tried and true methods like monoclonal antibodies and small molecules.
“BeiGene has experienced unprecedented global growth, and the addition of our facility at the Princeton West Innovation Campus adds manufacturing and clinical development capabilities that will further strengthen our differentiated strategy which leverages speed, efficiency and technology to advance quality medicines faster for patients,” John Oyler, co-founder, chairman and CEO of BeiGene, said in a statement.
BeiGene, which was founded in 2010, has been on an expansion tear as of late, bucking the biotech industry's layoff trend of the past year.
In February, BeiGene reported it had added 1,400 employees globally to reach a head count of 10,600 compared to the 9,200 it had on the payroll in February of 2023.
The company’s growth—it saw sales explode by 75% year over year to reach $2.2 billion in 2023—has been fueled primarily by its BTK inhibitor Brukinsa that is used to treat cancers like mantle cell lymphoma, Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, marginal zone lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Sales of Brukinsa more than doubled last year and crossed the blockbuster threshold to hit $1.3 billion in full-year sales.