On May 31, manufacturing conglomerate 3M announced it will invest $146 million dollars to expand its capabilities to further support biotech manufacturing, which the company says is a fast-growing area of health care.
3M said the investment will include facility and equipment improvements and the addition of 60 full-time positions in 3M manufacturing facilities in Europe.
The investment will accelerate 3M’s development and delivery of vital filtration equipment designed for bioprocessing, biological and small molecule pharmaceutical manufacturing applications. The equipment enables biotech customers to innovate therapies used for the treatment of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and certain cancers.
Filtration and purification is also essential in manufacturing biopharmaceutical drugs, the company said in a news release. The process uses a filter material that captures impurities while allowing the necessary drug substances to pass through.
3M offers a comprehensive portfolio of depth filters for cell culture clarification in the biopharmaceutical industry. Zeta Plus depth filtration technology, in cartridge systems and sheets, play a role in the clarification of cell-derived protein therapeutic products around the world.