Massachusetts expects a rise in biomanufacturing employment in the next year, a surprising bright spot given the state's strong orientation toward bio R&D. Both Bristol-Myers Squibb ($BMY) and Sanofi's ($SNY) Genzyme unit are planning production boosts with the completion of construction projects.
Genetic Engineering and Biotech News reports the anticipated rise in manufacturing jobs will mark a rebound from 2010, when Pfizer ($PFE) and AstraZeneca ($AZN) cutbacks yielded a 2% decline in production positions.
BMS is increasing its biologics presence in Devens, the former Army base. Some 350 people are expected to work there, the report said. Genzyme anticipates an early 2012 OK by the FDA for a plant nearing completion in Framingham. Both are expected to be filling production positions.
Manufacturing accounts for 20% of the Bay State's biotech jobs, making it the second-highest biotech job category. R&D holds the top spot at 55%, according to industry group MassBio, in the story.
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