Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing Phase II Expansion will triple capacity to meet customer needs and the implementation of industry-leading technology to support continued growth

Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM), a modern parenteral contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in biologics, small molecules, and vaccines, continues its exponential growth in Grand Rapids. GRAM has been a local contributor to COVID vaccine manufacturing through their partnership with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, to support the manufacture of its SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. To continue meeting industry demands, an 18,000 sq ft expansion of GRAM’s large-scale aseptic fill/finish facility will offer future capacity for new technologies and further growth. GRAM’s capabilities and capacity expansion provides further opportunities to grow relationships with existing customers and to support a greater variety of production needs for additional customers.

GRAM has been a local contributor to COVID vaccine manufacturing through their partnership with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, to support the manufacture of its SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. GRAM’s capabilities and capacity expansion provides further opportunities to grow relationships with existing customers and to support a greater variety of production needs for additional customers.

“Embarking on multiple expansions and opening the doors of two state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities over the last two years, right here in our hometown, is tremendous,” said Tom Ross, President & CEO of Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing. “The innovative modular technology GRAM ordered for this new space arrives in early 2022 and allows GRAM to expand offerings to existing and future customers, ultimately taking on more products to support industry demand for getting products to market.”

The existing large-scale fill/finish facility utilizes state-of-the-art technology like an IMA lyophilizer and two high-speed Stevanato automatic inspection machines, a Grade C cleanroom, formulation and filling suites, customer viewing rooms and more. The expansion includes an additional Bausch+Ströbel Vial Filler with SKAN Isolator Technology (a duplicate of the current vial filler to increase production capabilities). GRAM is also introducing top-of-the-line, innovative technology and expanding their portfolio with a new VarioSys syringe and vial filler, available in 2022.

With pharmaceutical industry demand steadily increasing, CDMOs must rise to meet it.  Demand is high, and capacity is low across the board. The COVID pandemic played a huge role in this crunch, forcing many CDMOs to utilize full capacity or push off other products to fill vaccines. GRAM’s new expansion and facilities meet this growing need for increased capacity and flexibility in an industry still struggling to recover.

Less than one year after completion of their large-scale filling facility, GRAM’s new finishing and warehouse center is complete, bringing their total number of GMP manufacturing facilities to four. Occupying 100,000 sq feet, GRAM’s finishing center is their largest facility yet, and features four finishing rooms, Marchesini packaging line, Dividella packaging line, QC laboratory, coolers, freezers, and more.

In August, GRAM achieved further acclaim when announced as an Inc. 5000 Business for the 5th consecutive year in a row. Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing President and CEO, Tom Ross, was also named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year^® 2021 Michigan and Northwest Ohio Winner.

GRAM credits a large share of their success to the incredible talent that comes to work and live in West Michigan. With a workforce that has grown from 200 to 350 employees in under 1.5 years, they’ve experienced exponential growth in challenging times. GRAM boasts a team of highly trained pharmaceutical experts working with world-class equipment and advanced technologies to ensure sterile, quality, and efficient results in every facility.

About Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing, Inc.

Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing, Inc. (“GRAM”), a modern parenteral contract development and manufacturing organization, delivers customized solutions to meet clients’ fill and finish needs from development through commercialization. With capabilities for biologics, small molecules and vaccines, GRAM’s advanced technology and nimble staff supports pharmaceutical development and cGMP manufacturing, analytical testing, and regulatory filing.