Group Learns about Shire
Gabe Khouli with Shire International at Stanton Springs, near the intersection of Newton, Morgan and Walton Counties just off I-20 spoke to community leaders and others at the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce First Friday breakfast last week.
Mr. Khouli talked about how the plant had begun and how the site is growing. The manufacturing plant covers some two million sq. ft., and was begun as Baxter. It then changed to Baxalta, then was purchased by Shire. Shire is dedicated to serving patients with rare diseases.
Mr. Khouli explained there are 7,000 known rare diseases, the vast majority of which have no treatment. Some five percent have treatment, he said. He distinguished rare diseases by saying sometimes it takes as much as five to seven years for an accurate diagnosis.
He said that Shire is leading the way in immunology, and works to treat immune deficiency which some 300 diseases are classified as.
Shire International has some 24,000 employees in more than 65 countries, and provides therapies to some 100 countries. The local plant will have 1,500 employees at full ramp up. It is a $1 billion investment.
He said the plant is in the process of transitioning to an operating facility and achieving FDA licensing. He said some 900 systems have to be tested, validated, and proven, then the results sent to FDA who will then give the green light for production.
He explained they will be doing conformance runs through the beginning of fall. They are anticipating FDA approval in early 2018. Full ramp up is a four-to-five year process, with obviously some of that already behind them.
He said that the plant is hiring for all positions including manufacturing, quality control, engineering, maintenance, warehouse/supply chain, IT, and more. Interested persons may investigate openings by visiting Shire.com.
Besides the possibilities for good jobs for Jasperites, the development will pay some $5.2 million in taxes to Jasper County alone in its first 10 years of production.
The breakfast was sponsored by Wholistic Farms, Community Supported Agriculture, which is operated by Shane and Jennifer Whitmire.
Jasper County Development Authority Director David Dyer introduced Mr. Khouli, and recognized Steve Jordan and Carl Pennamon as members of the Four County Development Authority which attracted Shire to the area.
