Governor Tom Wolf announced that US Specialty Formulations LLC (USSF), a pharmaceutical manufacturing company, will expand its operations in Allentown, Lehigh County to continue its work developing a COVID-19 vaccine in partnership with VaxForm LLC. Both companies are clients of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania. This project will create at least 97 new, high-paying positions at the site.
Both USSF and Vaxform started at Ben Franklin TechVentures®, the award-winning business technology incubator owned and managed by BFTP/NEP. The companies’ partnership was facilitated by the proximity they enjoyed as resident companies. Ben Franklin invested a total of $225,000 in USSF. Starting with three staff members, USSF now employs 14 in high-value jobs, and Vaxform employs five.
“There will be a global demand for COVID-19 vaccines, and investments like this can help position our commonwealth for success in recovery from this pandemic,” said Gov. Wolf. “My administration is eager to support the growth and job creation of businesses stepping up and offering solutions as we continue to battle this virus and keep our communities healthy and safe.”
USSF will expand its 41,000-square-foot facility in Allentown and will request an FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) approval to release a COVID-19 oral and injectable vaccine in mid-2021. In order to meet its schedule, the company must make renovations, acquire equipment, and hire new employees.
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