Fluor to support Agilent’s $725m life sciences facility expansion in Colorado

Fluor Corporation, through its Advanced Technologies & Life Sciences business, will support the expansion of Agilent Technologies’ manufacturing plant in Frederick, Colorado.

Under the contract, Fluor will provide architectural and engineering services and procure equipment for the $725 million expansion project that is anticipated to double Agilent Technologies’ manufacturing capacity of nucleic acids therapeutics, also known as oligonucleotides or oligos.

The new 275,000 square-foot manufacturing plant will include two manufacturing lines and produce siRNA, antisense molecules, and CRISPR guide RNA molecules.

Juan Hernández — Fluor’s Advanced Technologies & Life Sciences business president said: “We will incorporate state-of-the-art engineering enhancements such as advanced automation, water reduction strategies and solvent capturing to optimize cost and construction.

“This enables us to fast-track the project so that Agilent can meet its global customers’ needs by getting products to market faster.”

The project is expected to enhance the US manufacturing capacity for active pharmaceutical ingredients and provide over 160 life science jobs in the Frederick area.

Mike McMullen — Agilent Technologies CEO said: “Agilent has had a growing presence in Colorado for more than 20 years.

“We are very excited about this next phase of investment in this rapidly growing area of biotechnology.

“We’re proud to be helping to drive this growth by creating innovative therapeutics that improve the quality of life.”

Agilent Technologies also contracted North America-based construction services company Turner to build the pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.

The expansion of the manufacturing facility is in progress with completion expected by the year 2026.