A Conversation with Leadership from Amgen Rhode Island
GPCC
Friday, January 29, 2021
Chamber President Laurie White spoke with representatives of Amgen's Rhode Island operations in West Greenwich about its new state-of-the-art next-generation biomanufacturing plant, the first of its kind in the U.S., among other developments for the global biotech company in the state.
Brian Britson, Vice President of Site Operations at Amgen Rhode Island, Rohan Persaud, Executive Director, Plant Manager AR30 and Ellis Bougiouris, Director Engineering also discussed how Amgen responded to the COVID-19 pandemic to keep production going safely, some of the innovative approaches to developing treatments for a wide range of conditions, talent and career development at Amgen, the company's extensive relationships with local colleges and universities and its sustainability practices.
- Amgen, a biotech company with a location in RI, is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by developing & manufacturing innovative therapeutics.
- In 2020, Amgen Rhode Island completed its state-of-the-art next-generation biomanufacturing plant, the first of its kind in the United States and its most innovative to-date.
- Incorporating multiple innovative technologies into a single location, the new plant is greener, more flexible, smaller and was cheaper to build and operate when compared to conventional plants.
- The plant is approximately 120,000 square feet. Amgen will use the plant’s next-generation biomanufacturing capabilities to manufacture products for U.S. and global markets.
- Amgen has invested more than $1.5 billion in its Rhode Island facility, adding more than 500,000 square feet of manufacturing, utility, administrative and laboratory space to the campus.
- Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics.
- A biotechnology innovator since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world’s leading independent biotechnology companies, reaching millions of patients around the world.
- Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people’s lives.
- Amgen and the Amgen Foundation have made an initial commitment of up to $12.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds to support emergency response efforts in Amgen’s U.S. and international communities.
- The Amgen Foundation is also matching donations made by our employees worldwide who wish to contribute their own funds to the relief efforts.
- The 75-acre Amgen RI site operates 24/7. Employees are committed "to serve every patient, every time."
- Amgen has set ambitious targets and made $200 million commitment to achieving carbon neutrality in operations over the next 7 years, reducing water use by 40%, and reducing waste disposal by 75%.
- When COVID-19 arrived, Rohan said, "We were steadfast. Our focus was safety for every person who stepped in our gate."
- Brian highlights priorities of leadership during COVID-19: Ensuring safety/well-being of Amgen employees, continuing to serve patients, and helping communities where we live and work.
.png "A Conversation with Leadership from Amgen Rhode Island")
