Ohio’s growing biotech hub is a launchpad for innovation
On November 5, 2021 Amgen, a multinational biopharmaceutical company, broke ground on a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility just outside of Columbus, Ohio. The new facility will be one of Amgen’s most high-tech manufacturing operations to date. A California-based company, Amgen turned to Ohio when it was time to expand again. For those who aren’t in-the-know about Ohio’s biotech hub, the decision might seem surprising. But in fact, Amgen is the latest company to join the rapidly growing base of innovators putting down roots in the state.
About the Facility
Amgen Ohio will manufacture aseptic fill finish, packaging, labeling and fulfillment operations for the company’s biologic products. The new facility represents a capital investment of $365 million and will create approximately 400 new jobs in Ohio.
Perfect For Innovation
Amgen chose Ohio because Ohio is the perfect incubator for innovation in life sciences and biotechnology. The state’s ever-expanding talent pool consists of over 80,000 bioscience professionals. Several top universities located in Ohio, including The Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati and Case Western Reserve University, graduate talented scientists and engineers every year who continue to enhance the workforce.
Ohio’s three largest metros, Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati, form a thriving healthcare ecosystem that is made up of a robust network of researchers, entrepreneurs and healthcare providers. The state is home to 15 health systems, including nationally-regarded institutions such as the Cleveland Clinic, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, in addition to a strong biomedical research industry.
The Workforce of Tomorrow
Amgen’s choice highlights how Ohio’s favorable healthcare ecosystem can be leveraged to help innovative companies continue to grow and thrive. The company has begun forming partnerships in the community that will boost an already talented workforce and nurture the next generation of biotech and manufacturing experts.
The Ohio State University and its College of Engineering and Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge proactively offered to support Amgen’s workforce and innovation needs by committing to co-developing an internship program and working together on additional experiential learning opportunities.