New pharma industry breaks ground in London with pledge of growth
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The sod was just turned celebrating a new pharmaceutical plant coming to London, but owner Tam Vo could talk only about the future and growth
ANVO Pharma Group broke ground Friday on a 40,000-square-foot plant that will employ more than 30 when it opens in 2022.
But Vo, at the launch event on Bonder Road in the city’s Innovation Park, is planning three phases of growth that he envisions will see the drug maker build on its 3.6 hectares of land, and employ more than 100 in about five years.
“We know the market. We know what to supply and what the market needs. We are very confident,” said Vo.
“It is time we set up our centre and manufacturing facility. We want to make it in Canada for a global market.”
ANVO is now in the business of selling drugs, representing 14 drug producers in Europe, one in Canada and one in New Zealand. It has offices in Saigon, Vietnam, and Oakville. The London plant will be its foray into drug manufacturing
Vo looked at possible sites across Ontario and settled on London, citing the availability of workers from Western University and Fanshawe College, the value of land and construction, and a strong industrial and health-care business sector with which to work.
“London opens doors all over the world,” he said. “Health Canada is very good. We want to sell from Canada into the global market.”
Its first phase will see ANVO make generic drugs to address cardiovascular and hepatitis diseases. It forecasts making more than one billion doses of medicine in capsule or pill form.
Its second phase, projected for 2024, will see it make injectable drugs and likely employ about 70. The third phase in about 2026 will see it make vaccines, and Vo hopes to employ more than 100 then.
Vo shifted from sales and distribution to manufacturing after ANVO wanted to sell into more markets, but the manufacturers it represented would not allow that.
“It was a barrier for us, so we decided to go ahead with our own manufacturing so we can enter any market we like,” he said.
The London Economic Development Corp. and city officials worked with ANVO, and the groundbreaking is welcome during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Kapil Lakhotia, LEDC chief executive.
“The city has talked about growing its life sciences sector and the arrival of companies like ANVO Pharma Group helps us develop a stronger foothold in the cluster,” said Lakhotia.
“The manufacturing of generic pharmaceuticals is a super addition to the city, especially during the COVID pandemic. It has been a very difficult year from an economic turmoil standpoint. We need these new investments, new jobs to keep fuelling our economy.”
The groundbreaking event was attended by city, provincial and federal politicians, including Mayor Ed Holder, MPs Lindsay Mathyssen and Kate Young, and MPP Teresa Armstrong.
“I am so excited and honoured you would pick London . . . ,” said Holder. “The investment you make, the jobs you create are critical for London, especially at a time like this.”
