The investment, said 3M, will accelerate its development and delivery of vital filtration equipment for bioprocessing, biological and small molecule pharmaceutical manufacturing applications that enable biotech customers to develop new therapies for treating conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and certain cancers.

Filtration and purification are essential in manufacturing biopharmaceutical drugs, 3M explained, with the filter material capturing impurities while allowing the necessary drug substances to pass through.

“We are helping biotech customers do more, faster, to advance their specialized medicines," said Robert Befidi, president, 3M separation and purification sciences division.

As well as facility and equipment improvements, the investment also includes the addition of 60 full-time jobs.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist