Bristol-Myers Squibb receives FDA approval for Devens facility to produce ORENCIA

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the company's biologics manufacturing facility in Devens, Massachusetts for commercial production of ORENCIA^® (abatacept).    

The Devens facility, a state-of-the-art bulk biologics manufacturing facility, employs roughly 300 scientists, engineers, bioprocess operators, quality specialists and other skilled workers.

"The approval of our Devens site is an important milestone for Bristol-Myers Squibb as part of our strategic focus on delivering innovative biologic medicines for patients with serious disease," said Lou Schmukler, president, Global Manufacturing & Supply, Bristol-Myers Squibb. "The increased manufacturing capacity from the Devens site will support market demand for ORENCIA and positions us well for future production of additional biologic medicines."

Bristol-Myers Squibb currently manufactures its biologic medicines in a company-owned facility in Syracuse, NY and through third party suppliers, and finishes and packages them in Manati, Puerto Rico. The Syracuse site will remain a key component of the company's biologics strategy and will serve as a center of excellence in process development and early product launch for the company's biologic medicines.

"Bristol-Myers Squibb is committed to building a strong manufacturing capability to support our growing biologics portfolio, and Devens is a key component of this strategy," said Peter Moesta, senior vice president, Biologics Manufacturing and Process Development.