The Quebec pharmaceutical company JAMP Pharma is planning the construction of a generic drug factory occupying an area of at least 3,700 square meters in Longueuil, in the industrial zone of Saint-Hubert airport.
“A model of density in an industrial environment, this future three-storey building with underground parking will be used to house a brand new factory intended primarily for manufacturing, but will also allow research and development to be carried out, in addition to allowing maintenance functions. administration,” said Catherine Fournier, Mayor of Longueuil, late Thursday afternoon.
Responding to a La Presse interview request made to the office of JAMP Pharma President Louis Pilon, Marketing and Communications Director Alexandra Lewicki said earlier this week that the company had no announcements to make. For now.
According to documents from the City of Longueuil, on October 14, JAMP Pharma made a $2.6 million purchase offer for a 9,290 square meter (100,000 square foot) industrial lot in the airport zone of Longueuil. St. Hubert.
Since then, the City of Longueuil has signed on November 30, 2022 the acceptance of an offer to purchase. The agreement has not yet been notarized and is subject to a due diligence review by JAMP, which is still ongoing. Part of this verification has already been done, JAMP having had soil analyzes done to ensure that the land does not contain wetlands or water as defined in the Environment Quality Act.
The contract states that the facilities must be “at least 40,000 square feet” (3,716 square meters). The minimum value of the new building must be “at least $5 million”, an approximation presumably including only the construction and not the production equipment of the factory and laboratories nor the expensive certifications of Health Canada and the US Food and Drug Administration.
At the same time, JAMP Pharma launched a competition for the recruitment of a manufacturing director who reports directly to the president.
The job description first names the development and implementation of a strategic plan to “establish world-class manufacturing facilities”, but also “laboratory and research and development operations”.
JAMP is primarily an importer and distributor of generic drugs.
The president of JAMP, Louis Pilon, has often spoken out on the need for Quebec to promote the local production of generic drugs, which are currently largely produced abroad in low-cost countries. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, this argument has had a favorable ear with the Quebec government, which has awarded grants of $25 million respectively to Pharmascience, of Candiac, and Jubilant Pharma, of Montreal.
The offer to purchase the land in Longueuil stipulates that the company is eligible for the tax credit program adopted in 2017 by the City of Longueuil to encourage the establishment of new businesses in its airport zone.
If the transaction is carried out, JAMP Pharma undertakes to complete the construction of the building 30 months after the signing of the sales contract, i.e. at the end of 2026.
Head office: BouchervillePresident: Louis PilonYear of foundation: 1988Majority shareholder: Louis PilonMinority shareholder: Fonds de solidarité FTQFields of activity: manufacture and distribution of generic drugs, natural health products and cosmeticsPortfolio: 300 drugs, 180 natural productsNumber of employees : 700Brands: Orimed, Wampole, Swiss Laboratory and Cosmetic Import
