BURLINGTON, Mass. — PharmaEssentia Corporation said its board has approved an approximately $46 million investment to establish a wholly owned manufacturing subsidiary in Puerto Rico, a move aimed at supporting long-term global demand for its lead product, BESREMi® (ropeginterferon alfa-2b), and strengthening supply for the U.S. market.
The Taiwan-headquartered biopharmaceutical company said the planned facility is part of a broader global manufacturing expansion strategy and is expected to serve as a future production center for both U.S. and international markets. PharmaEssentia plans to seek regulatory approvals for the site and begin operations in 2027.
Company officials cited sustained growth in global demand for BESREMi®, particularly in the United States, as well as the potential for additional growth tied to future regulatory approvals for new indications.
Puerto Rico’s established pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem was a key factor in the decision, the company said. The planned facility is expected to enhance supply security, improve operational flexibility, increase cost efficiency, and provide scalable manufacturing capacity to support future growth.
“Expanding manufacturing capacity outside Taiwan is a core strategic priority for PharmaEssentia as we continue to strengthen supply resilience, scalability, and geographic diversification,” said Ko-Chung Lin, Ph.D., founder and chief executive officer of PharmaEssentia. “We are proud to take this important step toward establishing U.S.-based manufacturing, with Puerto Rico serving as a future center for the U.S. market. This investment underscores our long-term commitment to reliably serving patients worldwide as demand for BESREMi® continues to grow.”
Puerto Rico Governor Jennifer González welcomed the announcement, calling it a sign of the island’s role as a strategic U.S. hub for life sciences manufacturing.
“PharmaEssentia’s decision to establish a manufacturing operation in Puerto Rico underscores the island’s role as a strategic U.S. hub for life sciences and advanced manufacturing,” González said. “This investment strengthens supply-chain resilience, creates high-value jobs, and reinforces Puerto Rico’s position as a trusted location for biopharmaceutical innovation and production serving patients in the United States and around the world.”
