In their presentation entitled, “Manufacturing for the 21st Century,” BMS representatives Chris Stevens and Dave Gleeson shared details on the company’s successful start up of a new biologics plant in Devens, Mass.
The plant is producing Orencia, a biologic used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and to slow the progression of joint damage. Plans began five years ago and in early 2012 the new facility received FDA approval.
The facility, which is recipe-driven and designed around ISA88 and ISA95 standards, employs Emerson Process Management’s Syncade operations management software and DeltaV digital automation system for paperless manufacturing. This system is integrated with both enterprise and plant-level systems including SAP, LIMS, scheduling and computerized maintenance management systems, as well OSI PI historians and off-line instruments.
Emerson’s Peter Zornio, who serves as executive sponsor of Life Sciences for Emerson, toured the new plant earlier this year and commented on the scope of the project during the awards portion of the evening. “It’s possible that I’ve seen more Emerson products here at the Exchange, but I have never seen them integrated so well [as in this new plant]—this is the whole package.”
Emerson Process Management President Steve Sonnenberg added, “Emerson needs and appreciates Life Sciences. You stretch us and challenge us. We got our start in batch processing with Life Sciences, and we remember our roots.”
