Jubilant HollisterStier launches a $132M sterile fill-finish line in Spokane, boosting US pharmaceutical supply chain resilience and creating hundreds of jobs.
SPOKANE, Washington – In a significant move to strengthen the domestic pharmaceutical supply chain Jubilant Pharmova’s subsidiary Jubilant HollisterStier LLC (JHS) has officially launched a new $132 million sterile fill-and-finish production line at its Spokane, Washington facility.
This state-of-the-art line, the third at the site, is a direct response to growing demand from global pharmaceutical companies for high-quality, US-based manufacturing of sterile injectables, a demand further accelerated by recent US government tariffs.
Doubling Down on US Manufacturing and Jobs
The new line is a cornerstone of JHS’s strategy to double its total sterile injectable manufacturing capacity at the Spokane facility. This goal will be fully realized once a planned fourth production line is commissioned in the near future.
Chris Preti, CEO of CDMO Sterile Injectables at JHS, emphasized the broader impact of the expansion. “With the third line operational and the fourth on the horizon, we are not just doubling our capacity, we’re building a future that will create hundreds of new jobs, strengthen the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain and reaffirm our role as a trusted partner in delivering life-saving therapies to patients around the world,” Preti stated.
Meeting Market Demand for Onshore Production
The investment comes at a pivotal time. Large innovator pharma companies are actively seeking reliable, high-quality US manufacturing partners. JHS reported “very strong traction” in requests for proposals (RFPs) for the new line and expects to reach full utilization within the next three years.
The new production line is equipped with advanced isolator technology, which provides enhanced sterility assurance, higher throughput, and greater operational precision. This expansion adds an immediate 50 per cent increase in capacity to the Spokane facility.
The parent company, Jubilant Pharmova, highlighted that this investment reinforces JHS’s leadership in domestic US pharmaceutical manufacturing. By expanding onshore capacity, the company is contributing to US national health security and helping to build a more resilient and agile pharmaceutical ecosystem, reducing reliance on offshore supply chains.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
1. What is Jubilant HollisterStier (JHS)?
JHS is a US-based contract manufacturer specializing in sterile injectable drugs. It is a subsidiary of the Indian company Jubilant Pharmova Limited and serves leading global pharmaceutical companies.
2. What has the company launched?
JHS has launched a new $132 million sterile fill-and-finish production line at its manufacturing facility in Spokane, Washington, USA.
3. What is a “sterile fill-and-finish” line?
It is a specialized production line that fills sterile liquid drug product into vials, syringes, or other containers and seals them in a highly controlled, aseptic environment to ensure the product is free from contamination.
4. Why is this expansion significant for the US?
It strengthens the domestic US pharmaceutical supply chain, creates hundreds of jobs, and reduces reliance on imported sterile injectables, enhancing national health security.
5. What is driving the demand for this new capacity?
There is increased demand from drug makers for high-quality US manufacturing sites, a trend bolstered by new US government tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals. This has led to a high volume of customer interest (RFPs) for the new line.
6. What is the total capacity goal?
With this third line operational and a fourth line planned, JHS is on track to double its total sterile injectable manufacturing capacity at the Spokane facility.
7. What advanced technology does the new line use?
The line features advanced isolator technology, which provides a superior physical barrier to protect the sterile product from human and environmental contamination, ensuring higher quality and efficiency.
