Access Bio opens second plant in Monroe Township, New Jersey

Access Bio, a company specializing in in vitro diagnostics, announced on the 4th that it had opened a second plant in Monroe Township, New Jersey.

The new 14,190-square-meter plant is being equipped with fully automated production facilities for rapid diagnostic tests, as well as manufacturing equipment for a high-sensitivity version of the test kits that Access Bio plans to launch next year.

Access Bio said it is gradually automating the entire process, from strip manufacturing through packaging, which is expected to expand production capacity and reduce costs. It added that the high-sensitivity platform technology for new products uses a device format different from existing products, requiring dedicated production equipment as the company prepares for future growth.

The first plant, located in Somerset, will produce key raw materials for rapid diagnostic tests, including plastic components and specimen collection swabs. It will also serve as a small-batch, multi-product production base for tests other than COVID-19, such as G6PD and dengue rapid diagnostic tests.

Access Bio plans to strategically assign roles to the two plants to improve production efficiency. Access Bio is a U.S. company listed on KOSDAQ in which PharmGen Science acquired a majority stake. Its technical capabilities have recently been recognized through its selection by the U.S. National Institutes of Health for a research project to develop next-generation diagnostic kits.