Pharmaceutical giant GlaxonSmithKline has announced it will invest $60 million in expanding its Boronia site in Victoria, which will generate 58 new jobs by 2017.

 

Victorian Technology Minister Mr Rich-Phillips welcomed the announcement, describing the investment by GSK as highly significant to the state’s growing pharmaceutical industry.

 

GSK is a significant contributor to the Victorian economy in terms of employment, exports, manufacturing and local R&D investment, expending on average more than $30 million a year on R&D in Victoria and consistently exporting more than $300 million per annum in pharmaceutical products from the state.

 

Mr Rich-Phillips said the $60 million investment would allow GSK to potentially double its current blow-fill-seal (BFS) technology manufacturing capacity by installing new BFS production technology, as well as supporting the creation of a pilot scale industrialisation facility for the development of new powder and sterile liquid pharmaceutical products.

 

"GSK also plans to make this new facility accessible for local companies for contract manufacturing, further supporting skills development and technology transfer opportunities for Victorian researchers and companies” Mr Rich-Phillips said.