Bend Bioscience, a pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), will invest approximately $20 million in its Gainesville facility. The expansion is in alignment with a projected 10% increase in workforce, deepening the company’s commitment to innovation in pharmaceutical manufacturing while investing in the long-term growth of Georgia’s life sciences sector, according to a Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) news release.
This announcement follows the April announcement that new commercial-scale equipment was being added to the company’s 120,000-square-foot site. This initiative includes the buildout of an additional 12,000 square feet, representing a 20% increase in manufacturing space and a roughly 10% growth in total site footprint. This expansion is expected bring new high-value job opportunities to Gainesville and support the region’s continued emergence as a hub for advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing.
“Bend Bioscience is proud to deepen our roots in Gainesville,” said Owen Murray, CEO of Bend Bioscience. “We see tremendous value in not only advancing pharmaceutical science but also in investing in the communities that make our mission possible. This expansion strengthens our operational capabilities while creating career opportunities that support Gainesville’s growing biotech ecosystem.”
At the heart of this growth is the installation of state-of-the-art technologies, including a GEA PSD-4 spray dryer and Gerteis roller compactor, which significantly enhances the facility’s ability to produce complex oral dosage forms, including spray dried dispersions and multi-particulate delivery systems. These capabilities complement the expertise at the other Bend Bioscience sites in Florida and Oregon and extend the company’s ability to serve customers from early development to commercial supply — all within the US.
In alignment with the expansion, Bend Bioscience will soon be launching a new apprenticeship program in collaboration with Lanier Tech. Designed to prepare students for careers in pharmaceutical sciences, the program will immerse local participants in hands-on training and pharmaceutical manufacturing foundational skills. This initiative reflects the company’s ongoing investment and commitment to workforce development and regional educational advancement.
“By partnering with local institutions and creating new jobs, we’re building a future where cutting-edge pharmaceutical high science and community prosperity go hand-in-hand,” added Murray.
The expanded site is expected to be operational in early 2027.