WuXi stops construction at $300M Worcester facility
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.
Construction of a large biomanufacturing site in Worcester appears to be stalled, as the China-based firm behind the project has begun selling off some of its international assets.
The WuXi 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.
First announced in 2018, work at the site began a year later with the expected completion date of 2024. After some construction activity was seen at the WuXi building in December, the site has appeared to be dormant.
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 appears to be re-examining its presence outside of China.
WuXi announced plans in December to sell its cell-and-gene therapy unit to New York private equity firm Altaris and 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.
Later that month, WuXi sold its American medical device testing operations to Ohio-based medical technology firm NAMSA, according to a Jan. 17 press release from that company.
WuXi has been facing insufficient new business wins in the United States, which it blamed on proposed legislation in the country, according to its 2024 third quarter report submitted to The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.
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, 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 did not immediately respond to a request for comment from WBJ. asking for an update on the project or if the firm is considering selling the partially-built facility.
WuXi 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.
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