WuXi construction at $300M Worcester facility moving slowly

Photo | Eric Casey WuXi Biologic's facility in Worcester, seen here in December. Progress at the site has been slow, as the China-based firm has sold off some of its international assets.

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By Eric Casey

CORRECTION: WuXi Biologics has disputed a claim by WBJ construction has stopped at its Worcester facility. An earlier version of this article incorrectly conflated details involving WuXi Biologics with WuXi AppTec, a separate company from which WuXi Biologics was spun off from in 2017.

Construction of a large biomanufacturing site in Worcester appears to be slow-going, as the China-based firm behind the project has begun selling off some of its international assets.

The WuXi Biologics biomanufacturing building located at 305 Belmont St. is approximately 25% complete, according to the Semi-Annual TIF/TIE Report issued by City of Worcester Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn during Tuesday’s meeting.

The core and shell of the building is 95% complete, with the fitting out of the building not yet underway. The project was also listed as 25% complete in an update on TIF/TIE construction goals posted to the City of Worcester's website in June 2024.

First announced in 2018, work at the site began a year later with the expected completion date of 2024.

Elizabeth Steele, senior director, public and government relations of WuXi Biologics USA, told WBJ in an email that construction at the site has not stopped. She did not respond to a follow-up email asking for specifics on the current work happening at the site or an updated timeline for completion of construction.

The most recent building permits for the site were issued in December, allowing for the installation of temporary heating units, according to City of Worcester permit records.

The slow progress at the site comes as WuXi Biologics appears to be re-examining its presence outside of China.

WuXi Vaccines, a subsidiary of WuXi Biologics, sold a vaccine facility in Ireland to New Jersey drug firm Merck & Co., according to a Jan. 8 article Chemical & Engineering News. The firm said it would focus on producing vaccines at its facilities in China.

WuXI Biologics CEO Chris Chen has denied the sale was a result of geopolitical problems, according to Pharmaceutical Technology.

The BIOSECURE Act, a proposed piece of legislation which would block China-based life science firms from receiving federal funding, continues to worry firms like WuXi Biologics, according to BioProcess International. The impact of potential tariffs and other actions from the President Donald Trump Administration is also looming over the industry, which is particularly reliant on international trade and cooperation.

WuXi Biologics has pledged to create 150 new jobs at the site when it is completed, offering $5,000 for employees who are first-time home buyers and looking to move to Worcester, according to the City’s report.

Outside of WuXi, the City’s report also included details on two other active or pending non-residential projects which received tax increment financing agreements: The proposed Washington Square Hotel and Creative Hub’s Community Art Center.

The Washington Square Hotel, a project announced in 2021 which would see a 105-room, six-story hotel constructed near Union Station, has yet to get underway. The report says the developer is still committed to the project and plans to start initial work in the third quarter of 2025. The $21-million project is expected to create 35 new jobs when created.

Located at the former Worcester Boys Club at 2 Ionic Ave., the Creative Hub’s Community Art Center was announced with an expected completion date of 2025. Construction began in the last quarter of 2024 and is approximately 5% complete. The report did not include any changes to the project’s completion date.

Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the manufacturing and real estate industries.