Enzene Biosciences Ltd. is coming to New Jersey after extensive outreach by Choose New Jersey, the state’s nonprofit economic development organization. — Courtesy: Choose
By Joshua Burd
A global biotech company is coming to New Jersey, with plans to open a new manufacturing plant near Princeton for its first location outside its home country of India.
Choose New Jersey, the state’s nonprofit economic development organization said Thursday that Enzene Biosciences Ltd. is slated to begin operations in Hopewell in June 2024. The facility at the Princeton West Innovation Campus will support its business as a contract development and manufacturing organization for global pharmaceutical companies, housing an estimated 50 employees initially and ultimately growing to 300.
Additional details about the facility were not immediately available.
“The strong relationship between New Jersey and India has gained increasing momentum since we opened the New Jersey India Center to cultivate economic opportunities during our trip to the country in 2019,” Gov. Phil Murphy said. “I am proud to welcome Enzene Biosciences and their expanding global presence to New Jersey’s flourishing life sciences industry. New Jersey’s favorable business environment, skilled workforce, strategic location, supportive ecosystem for growth and deep cultural ties are why Indian companies thrive in our state.
“Enzene Biosciences’ state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will bring hundreds of jobs and generate $50 million in economic investments in our state, further solidifying New Jersey’s position as an innovation economy leader.”
Enzene, a subsidiary of Alkem Laboratories Ltd., is based in Pune, India, according to a news release. Choose New Jersey noted that its team met with company representatives during a business attraction mission to India in 2022, adding that it’s part of a growing list of Indian companies to find a home in the Garden State.
It’s also the latest business to commit to a facility at the Hopewell site, a former 433-acre former Bristol-Myers Squibb campus on Pennington Rocky Hill Road. Choose New Jersey and the New Jersey India Center supported the company’s expansion plans, with Reed Smith providing legal services and JLL representing the property.
“We are so proud to welcome Enzene to New Jersey’s thriving life sciences ecosystem,” said Wesley Mathews, CEO and president of Choose New Jersey. “Yet another Indian biopharma company has established itself in the state, demonstrating the strength of the New Jersey-India economic partnership. Beyond economic and commercial ties, our academic and cultural connections make it the perfect fit for Indian companies looking to expand to North America.
“Enzene’s growth in this sector highlights New Jersey’s global presence throughout all areas of the biopharmaceutical industry — from clinical trials to large-scale manufacturing.”
According to Choose New Jersey, Enzene’s facility will provide North American biopharmaceutical companies with streamlined supply chains, fast turnaround times, enhanced communication and greater control over the manufacturing process. That will allow it to provide comprehensive manufacturing capabilities under one roof, supporting the development and production of a diverse range of biologics.
“Enzene Biosciences is thrilled to establish our manufacturing operations in New Jersey, as it allows us to extend our local manufacturing capabilities to our valued North American clients,” said Dr. Himanshu Gadgil, CEO of Enzene Biosciences. “We are excited to provide them with access to our cutting-edge continuous manufacturing platform, which enables streamlined and efficient production processes. New Jersey’s highly skilled workforce, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and renowned academic institutions make it an ideal location for Enzene, ensuring that we can deliver exceptional services and support to our clients in the U.S.”
BioNJ CEO and president and CEO Debbie Hart added: “With its extensive drug development know-how and experience, Enzene will be a valuable addition to New Jersey’s robust life sciences ecosystem — bringing innovative medicines to patients around the world. A leading biomedical hub, the Garden State boasts a full complement of large and small biopharmaceutical companies, universities, research institutions, clinical research organizations and service providers working together to make meaningful advances in health care.”
Sandeep Singh, the managing director at Alkem Laboratories, said the expansion “strategically positions Enzene but also enables them to attract top talent and forge valuable partnerships that will expedite their contract manufacturing capabilities.”
“Additionally, New Jersey’s business-friendly environment creates a conducive atmosphere for investment and growth in the biopharmaceutical sector,” Singh said. “By establishing a presence in New Jersey, Enzene ensures its long-term viability and success as a trusted partner in delivering comprehensive CDMO services for contract manufacturing.”
