The basics:
- Celularity partners with Singapore-based MuseCell Innovations
- Deal could generate more than $300M over five years
- Expansion could create 200+ high-tech jobs
- Manufacturing of Dezawa MuseCells will take place in Florham Park
Biotech firm Celularity Inc. announced a new manufacturing collaboration that has the potential to bring $300 million in business and hundreds of jobs to Morris County. Announced Aug. 27, the agreement includes an initial project with Singapore-based MuseCell Innovations Pte. Ltd. with the possibility for more ventures. As part of the deal, Celularity will establish manufacturing capability for Dezawa MuseCells at its Florham Park facility.
Discovered by Dr. Mari Dezawa, Muse cells are a naturally occurring, stress-enduring cell population, according to the announcement. “The Dezawa MuseCell platform combines qualified starting materials with the licensed Dezawa Method and MCI product specifications addressing identity, purity, viability, potency, traceability and lot release,” the statement added.
If the initial project is successful, Celularity and MCI intend to broaden their agreement to include additional products and programs. That expansion could lead to more than $300 million in aggregate purchases from Celularity over the next five years.
It could also mean over 200 high-tech jobs at the 147,215-square-foot Florham Park site. Positions would span biomanufacturing, quality control, engineering and support functions.
‘Open for business’
“Our collaboration with MCI demonstrates how the manufacturing infrastructure and cellular expertise we have built can also support innovative third-party technologies,” Celularity founder, chairman and CEO Dr. Robert Hariri said in a statement. “We look forward to expanding U.S. manufacturing for the Dezawa MuseCell platform and working with MCI to manufacture additional products derived from the platform.”
“Celularity brings the infrastructure and technical depth required to establish U.S. manufacturing across qualified bone marrow, adipose and perinatal sources,” added Dr. Dominik Duscher, CEO and president of MuseCell Innovations.
In a social media post, Gov. Mikie Sherrill shared her excitement about the potential business growth and job creation.
“I first visited Celularity in 2022, and its trajectory from a homegrown startup here in New Jersey to a thriving public company is everything that drives my optimism about the potential of the New Jersey innovation economy,” the governor wrote.
“As advanced biomanufacturing continues to grow, investments like this send a clear message: New Jersey is open for business.”
The Garden State has faced scrutiny in recent months as several companies have announced out-of-state moves. A recent Focus NJ analysis examined eight companies that either downsized operations here or expanded or relocated operations outside of New Jersey. The report estimated those decisions cost the state more than 7,200 jobs.