Lowell biomanufacturing pilot plant is set to open

The University of Massachusetts at Lowell said it has scheduled for tomorrow the formal opening of a pilot plant at the Massachusetts BioManufacturing Center.

"The fully automated pilot plant will help businesses move their products forward and provide students the opportunity to interact with the latest trends and technology in the biopharmaceutical industry," UMass Lowell said in a press release. "The facility will also be home to important research in biomanufacturing by UMass Lowell faculty."

Wyeth Biotech, a division of the New Jersey pharmaceuticals company that has operations in Andover, and Dakota Systems of Dracut, whose specialties include making biopharmaceutical systems, were among companies that donated equipment and services worth more than $400,000 to the center, UMass Lowell said.

Also donating equipment and services was Invensys Process Systems, a unit of Invensys plc of London. Invensys Process Systems said it employs more than 1,000 people in Foxborough, where it develops and manufactures automation systems and instruments.

The center also received support from the commonwealth, the school said.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)