GSK confirms manufacturing site closure at end of 2022

Pharma News: In July 2020, GSK Australia announced to employees and stakeholders that the Boronia site in VIC would exit the GSK manufacturing network and that a review would determine the next steps. Today, GSK confirms the closure of the Boronia manufacturing facility at the end of 2022.

This news closely follows Pfizer Australia‘s recent decision to cease manufacturing at Pfizer’s Perth site by 2023 and exit the site by Q1 2024.

The GSK decision aligns with a global focus on innovation. GSK is preparing to create two new leading companies, both with the ability to improve the lives of millions of people. GSK is building foundations for a new GSK – a leader in biopharma, protecting life and fighting disease, with an R&D approach focused on the science of the immune system and genetics – and a new world-leading Consumer Healthcare company, dedicated to improving everyday health, with category-leading brands based on trusted science

To be ready for the future, the new GSK biopharma company needs to become more competitive, so it can spend more on vital investments in innovation, growth and the future success of our business. This is how GSK will continue to make the greatest difference for patients and consumers.

The Boronia capabilities focus on high volume products and Blow-Fill-Seal manufacturing, which is highly skilled and specialised work. However, GSK will have less need of these capabilities in future years, as they develop GSK’s innovative pipeline.

Employees at the facility were notified today of the decision to close the site. This follows an earlier decision that the site would exit the GSK network of manufacturing facilities through either sale or closure. Since July 2020, GSK has explored and exhausted all options for the site, without identifying a viable sale option.

According to GSK Australia Pharmaceuticals General Manager, Christi Kelsey, the decision to close the Boronia manufacturing facility is about looking to the future.

“While the decision comes with sadness and will conclude a remarkable 50-year chapter for our team in Boronia, we are looking to the future and what we need to deliver for patients in Australia,” Kelsey said.

“We are ensuring GSK is set up to deliver the next generation of innovative medications for patients. In Australia we are expecting to bring much-needed, innovative new medicines and vaccines every year as part of our forward plan. These launches and our ongoing investment in Australian clinical research will be a big part of our next chapter in Australia.”

Kelsey said that GSK is determined to look after their employees through the transition and support them in a respectful and transparent way.

“There are more than 300 people connected to the Boronia site – many of whom have been a part of the team for a number of years, and for the next two years much of our Boronia team will continue to support our patients.”

“We are in discussions directly with our teams and with relevant unions and staff representatives and remain committed to looking after our people at Boronia. This is at the heart of the reason we are making this announcement now – because they are entitled to clarity for their future,” said Kelsey.

The majority of products manufactured at Boronia are for export, and the closure of the facility is unlikely to have an impact on medicines supply in Australia. GSK will continue to actively manage their supply chains to ensure patients can access our medicines and vaccines.