Cell therapy company Kite announced last week it will break ground on a raw materials warehouse in Maryland near its existing production facility as it works to streamline its manufacturing processes.
The new 70,000-square-foot warehouse will be located adjacent to its facility in the Urbana Corporate Center in Frederick County. The company said it expects to employ over 500 full-time staff between the facilities by 2026.
“Centralizing our raw materials storage and testing will enable us to bring control of materials in-house and increase the speed and efficiency of our global manufacturing operations so we can meet growing patient demand,” said SVP and Global Head of Technical Operations Chris McDonald in a statement.
Kite first announced operations to produce cell therapies for cancer treatment in Maryland in 2019, according to the release. The site joined Kite’s existing facilities in California and the Netherlands to form the largest dedicated cell therapy manufacturing network, spanning process development to commercial product production.
Housing materials in Maryland will position the company to serve its California and European operations. “With three major airports in the area, we have increased flexibility in receiving and shipping materials,” McDonald said, “which is critical for patients who are waiting for our therapies.”
The Maryland Department of Commerce will assist with project costs, approving a $1.5 million conditional loan through its Advantage Maryland Fund. In addition, Kite qualified for Fredrick County’s Commercial and Industrial Tax Credit, phased in over a 10-year period, and is eligible for state tax credits for job creation.
“Adding to their capabilities locally helps support [Kite’s] global manufacturing network, and the jobs they are creating is great news for our economy,” said County Executive Jessica Fitzwater in a statement.
