Acorda Therapeutics, located at 190 Everett Ave., has unveiled plans for a substantial expansion of its facility, buoyed by anticipated FDA approval of a new Parkinson’s disease medication.
The pharmaceutical company has occupied its current location under a lease from a New York-based firm with significant real estate holdings throughout Greater Boston. Following positive signals from the Food and Drug Administration regarding its new drug INBRIJA—an inhaler-based treatment for Parkinson’s patients that offers an alternative to pill form—the company is preparing for increased production demands. The drug is anticipated to receive approval in October, necessitating manufacturing expansion by 2019.
“Acorda Therapeutics seeks to expand operations at its manufacturing site at 190 Everett Avenue where it will support the global market for the Parkinson’s disease treatment INBRIJA and will ultimately provide the capability to support simultaneous manufacture of multiple products…The proposed project is an immediate expansion and upgrade of manufacturing and warehouse space. Acorda anticipates that the project will create 20 to 25 full-time, well-paying new jobs with targeted construction completion by Quarter 3 2019. This is a first step toward a long-term master plan vision that could ultimately create 100 new jobs and include a substantial capital investment.”
Company officials declined to provide additional commentary at this stage, stating the process was still in its early phases.
City Manager Tom Ambrosino expressed full support for the initiative and indicated he would advocate for its approval.
“I am hoping that it will be nothing for smooth sailing for them,” he said. “This is a very exciting proposal and I am 100 percent in favor. It has a lot of potential for Chelsea.”
The expansion plan involves retrofitting existing space within one building with specialized manufacturing equipment. Additionally, the project calls for removal of a 115-foot smoke stack and demolition followed by reconstruction of another building currently on the property.
The manufacturing building’s overall footprint will remain the same, though more than 2,000 sq. ft. of space will be added to its top floor for manufacturing operations.
Reconstruction of the demolished building will create nearly 4,000 sq. ft. of additional floor space dedicated to manufacturing, shipping, and warehouse functions.
The redesigned site will provide at least 121 parking spaces. A zoning variance will be required for the warehouse building height, as current regulations limit structures to 25 feet maximum while the new building would reach 66 feet, compared to the existing building’s current height of 44 feet.