MANHATTAN—Scorpion Biological Services will develop a 500,000 square foot biomanufacturing facility in Manhattan. The $650 million business investment project will create 500 new, high-paying jobs within the next seven years. The average annual employee salary has been projected at $76,000, according to a media release from the governor's office.
Scorpion is a subsidiary of Heat Biologics, Inc. The facility will support development of vaccines that enable an accelerated response to global biological threats. They will also provide commercial level development, manufacturing and bioanalytical testing services at stage for biopharmaceutical products on a fee-for-service basis to the global health industry.
Jeff Wolf, Chief Executive Officer, said the announcement is part of their vision to build an ecosystem of companies that can move drugs to those who need them as quickly and efficiently as possible. Wolf said their product starts with discovery at a plant in New Jersey, research and development in North Carolina, clinical scale production at a Scorpion facility in San Antonio, Texas and will end with commercial scale manufacturing in Manhattan.
"We will develop rapid and efficient smart drug manufacturing."
Wolf said that idea will drive the operation in Manhattan.
"When we visited Kansas after reviewing proposals from many states, the Sunflower State quickly rose to the top of the list," Wolf stated. "Kansas values are our values. That coupled with a supportive business environment, support from political leadership, opportunities for workforce and talent development and the existing biodefense ecosystem in Manhattan, it was a strong yes to the Sunflower state."
Wolf stated his company believes the facility will be transformative to Manhattan, Kansas and America. He noted that the company plans to have more than 500 employees with approximately 700 additional jobs being created indirectly to support the operation.
Governor Kelly called this project the most significant economic development project to date during her administration. She was among multiple speakers during the unveiling of Scorpion in Manhattan at Hilton Garden Inn.