SCHOTT Opens First Facility in U.S. to Increase Capabilities and Capacity for Development and Manufacturing of Diagnostics and Life Sciences Products
January 10, 2023, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Multi-million-dollar investment sets up new facility in Phoenix, AZ, that will focus on production of custom DNA and protein biosensors and other microarrays on glass, semiconductors, and polymer microfluidic consumable devices
- SCHOTT MINIFAB offers complete set of solutions for contract design and manufacturing of rapid diagnostic devices to enable precise treatments and therapies
- New facility adds to the capabilities already in place in Jena, Germany and Melbourne, Australia, enabling SCHOTT MINIFAB to work locally with customers in the major global markets for life science research and advanced diagnostics
- Expansion will create 150 new regional jobs in the Phoenix region over the next few years
“The United States is one of our most important markets, and we are pleased to expand our R&D and production facilities in this region” said Dr. Heinz Kaiser, a member of SCHOTT’s management board. “Enhancing our global footprint with a manufacturing base in Phoenix not only expands our reach, but also caters to the fast-growing and dynamic diagnostics market in North America. We are eager to build a unique pipeline for this market in the U.S.”
SCHOTT MINIFAB officially opened the new facility today during an event on-site, located at 4217 E Cotton Center Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85040. SCHOTT executives were joined by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego (D) as well members from both The Office of U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and The Office of Congressman Reuben Gallego (D-AZ).
Phoenix, AZ will mark SCHOTT’s third diagnostics location, with other centers of excellence located in Jena, Germany, and Melbourne, Australia. However, this will be the first location to place a special emphasis on bioscience capabilities using high-density microarrays for diagnostic and life science research. Over the next few years, it will create 150 jobs in the greater Phoenix area, growing SCHOTT MINIFAB’s employee base in Phoenix by 300 percent.
Advancing diagnostics and life sciences for more than 20 years
Diagnostic tests for infectious disease, autoimmune disease and cancers are increasingly being performed at the Point of Care (PoC) rather than central laboratories. Demand especially took off during the COVID-19 pandemic. These tests, in various microfluidic cartridges with embedded biosensors, detect and quantify multiple biomarkers related to the genes and proteins of the infecting agent or present in the patient.
The new field of Precision Medicine enables the precise diagnosis and better treatment outcomes of disease, considering the patient’s individual genetic makeup, environment, and lifestyle. Enabling companies producing leading edge life science research tools, and advanced diagnostics which probe the details of genomic and proteomic signatures associated with disease, has become a major strategic focus area for SCHOTT.
“Microfluidic consumables have grown more popular due to the global pandemic, and solutions will need to be more complex in order to better serve patients’ needs,” said Greg Wolters, Head of Strategic Business Field Diagnostics at SCHOTT. “Bioscience is the key component to making that happen, and it starts with utilizing microarrays. SCHOTT MINIFAB wants to empower its clients at every stage of product development to bring their ideas to fruition, and ultimately change the world. This facility allows us to partner with even more clients in the United States and domestically produce diagnostic devices that can improve patient outcomes.”
SCHOTT MINIFAB, a diagnostics business of SCHOTT North America, Inc., offers a complete set of solutions for contract design and manufacturing of rapid diagnostics devices to enable precise treatments and therapies.
More about SCHOTT MINIFAB
SCHOTT MINIFAB offers a range of solutions that develop and manufacture customized diagnostic consumables. Credit: SCHOTT
Pioneering – responsibly – together
These attributes characterize SCHOTT as a manufacturer of high-tech materials based on specialty glass. Founder Otto Schott is considered its inventor and became the pioneer of an entire industry. Always opening up new markets and applications with a pioneering spirit and passion – this is what has driven the #glasslovers at SCHOTT for more than 130 years. Represented in 34 countries, the company is a highly skilled partner for high-tech industries: Healthcare, Home Appliances & Living, Consumer Electronics, Semiconductors & Datacom, Optics, Industry & Energy, Automotive, Astronomy, and Aerospace. In the fiscal year 2021, its 17,300 employees generated sales of 2.5 billion euros (US$ 3.0 billion). SCHOTT AG is owned by the Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the oldest foundations in Germany. It uses the Group's dividends to promote science. As a foundation company, SCHOTT has anchored responsibility for employees, society and the environment deeply in its DNA. The goal is to become a climate-neutral company by 2030.
Rina Della Vecchia
Senior Marketing Communication Manager