What Syngene’s New Maryland CDMO Facility Means for U.S. Customers and for Growth

Syngene International, a prominent global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), has made a decisive step into the U.S. market by acquiring Emergent BioSolutions' biologics manufacturing facility in Baltimore, Maryland. The acquisition marks Syngene's first U.S. asset, strategically positioning the company to meet growing domestic demand and significantly expanding its global footprint.

Alex Del Priore, Vice President of Manufacturing at Syngene, spoke with BioBuzz’s CEO, Chris Frew about the significance of this expansion, its strategic rationale, and the impact on the Baltimore biotech ecosystem.

Syngene, headquartered in India, celebrated its 30th anniversary last year and continues to serve clients across the biotech spectrum, offering integrated solutions from research and development to commercial manufacturing. Del Priore emphasized that the acquisition of the Baltimore facility aligns closely with Syngene’s vision of expanding its biologics capabilities and enhancing proximity to the majority of its U.S.-based clientele.

"Over 80% of our clients are located in the U.S.," said Del Priore. "To date, we've served customers who've been willing to offshore their business, but now we have the capability to serve those who prefer to keep their projects onshore."

The company anticipates robust growth, driven by both existing client demand and new business opportunities now possible through a domestic manufacturing presence.

The facility in Baltimore was carefully selected after a two-year evaluation period involving multiple potential locations, representing a significant vote of confidence in the local biotech ecosystem. Baltimore stood out due to its robust biotech ecosystem, proximity to leading research institutions like Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland, the presence of major federal agencies such as the NIH, proximity to important logistics and transportation systems and the central location, making it easily accessible to many other top US biotech hubs.

One of the remarkable aspects of this acquisition is the rapid timeline anticipated for operational readiness. Thanks to diligent maintenance of the facility by Emergent BioSolutions following its closure over a year ago, Syngene expects to initiate its first GMP batch production for a monoclonal antibody by December of this year.

“The facility was maintained in warm standby, enabling us to rapidly restart operations,” Del Priore explained. He credited Emergent’s management team for their foresight, which has significantly reduced the time required to get the facility operational again.

Impact on Baltimore and Job Creation

The acquisition represents a significant economic and employment opportunity for Baltimore. Syngene is actively preparing recruitment initiatives, including job fairs, media events, and customer-focused gatherings to attract talent and stimulate local hiring.

"Baltimore checked every box," Del Priore noted. "The existing talent base, the support infrastructure, and proximity to top-tier research facilities provided compelling reasons to invest here."

Moreover, Syngene anticipates rehiring former Emergent employees, leveraging their familiarity with the site, which will further streamline the startup phase.

The Baltimore facility will operate within a global network, supplementing its workforce with experienced personnel from Syngene’s robust operations in India. These teams will initially support technology transfer and development activities, ensuring seamless integration into Syngene’s global service model.

"It’s going to be a true global network managed efficiently, utilizing the best of both local and international expertise," Del Priore affirmed.

Syngene plans to produce monoclonal antibodies for both human and animal health sectors at the Baltimore facility. Del Priore also highlighted the importance of the animal health biologics market, a sector uniquely bifurcated between USDA and FDA regulatory oversight in the United States. ,. “ The facility strengthens our offering for animal health clients looking for USDA approval for their products,” Del Priore said. This initiative will position Syngene to address a niche yet expanding segment of the biologics market effectively.

Del Priore described Syngene's organizational culture as innovation-driven, collaborative, and high-paced. "We give employees autonomy and encourage them to innovate. We set bold challenges, and I've consistently seen people rise to meet these ambitious goals," he shared. He also emphasized the company's core mission to "cure the incurable" and highlighted Syngene’s extensive collaborations, which include partnerships with 11 of the top 15 global pharma companies.

As Syngene ramps up its U.S. operations, Baltimore is poised to become a critical hub within the global biotech’s portfolio. Del Priore confidently stated, "This facility will rapidly grow, driven by customer demand, our technology, and strategic investments."

For biotech professionals, this represents a promising opportunity to join a company committed to making impactful medical advancements and fostering significant career growth. With Syngene's entry, Baltimore continues to solidify its status as an emerging epicenter of biotech innovation.