Lehigh Valley recently welcomed the latest international company to its growing life sciences sector. 
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, based in India, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 26 to celebrate its 160,000-square-foot, federally regulated distribution facility that employs 45 people in Upper Macungie Township.
The company began operations there last year, after looking at 130 properties in several states. The facility handles distribution of all products across America, to more than 320 locations in 43 states.
“We chose the Lehigh Valley for very good reasons,” said Marc Kikuchi, Glenmark’s President & Business Head for North America. “Its exceptional workforce, strong logistics network, and proximity to our customers and U.S. headquarters. But the single most important reason … it's the people.”
“The 45 employees who work here manage complex product flows, safeguard product integrity, and help ensure that every shipment is handled with care,” he said. “Their work also reflects our commitment to operating responsibly, from energy efficiency and recycling to smarter packaging and optimized delivery routes. This investment matters not only to Glenmark but to Allentown and the broader Lehigh Valley. Skilled jobs support families, create career opportunities, and strengthen neighborhoods and contribute to the local economy.”
Life sciences is one of Lehigh Valley’s fastest-growing sectors, said Kristin Cahayla-Hoffman, Vice President of Business Development & Attraction at Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC), who welcomed Glenmark in remarks at the dedication ceremony.
There are more than 180 life sciences business establishments in the Lehigh Valley - manufacturing facilities, labs, research centers, offices, and distribution centers, she said.
“Twice in the past three years, Lehigh Valley has been named for the number one mid-sized market for economic development, and those accolades stem from companies such as Glenmark investing here,” Cahayla-Hoffman said. “Glenmark's investment creates opportunities for people in our region and demonstrates why Lehigh Valley continues to attract innovative global companies.”
Employment in Lehigh Valley’s life sciences companies has grown by about 35% over the last decade.
Lehigh Valley is home to the U.S. headquarters of B. Braun, Olympus, and Sharp, and to operations of Thermo Fisher Scientific, Piramal Critical Care, and OraSure Technologies, among others. And work recently began on the largest life sciences investment in Pennsylvania history, a $3.5 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing campus by Eli Lilly and Company.
Glenmark manufactures prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals at other locations and ships them to Upper Macungie for distribution to customers that include pharmacies and health care providers.
“A medicine only helps a patient if it reaches them on time, at the right temperature, and in the right condition. That is the essential work taking place here every day,” Kikuchi said.
“Distribution is an essential part of the access equation and a critical component of a strong domestic pharmaceutical supply chain,” he said. “Generic medicines are among the most practical and proven ways to help lower prescription costs for patients in the healthcare system. By storing medicines here in the United States, and shipping them from one central hub, we can respond efficiently to customers, maintain reliable inventory, and exercise close control over product quality. That helps strengthen continuity of supply and reduce patients' exposures to shortages and disruptions.”
Glenmark has locations in more than 80 countries, including 11 manufacturing facilities and six research and design centers. The company employs more than 17,000 people worldwide.
The Lehigh Valley location is Glenmark’s single largest distribution center in North America and was built with the intention to accommodate future growth. It was relocated from New Jersey and built with approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
"We're confident we made the right choice for Glenmark," said Ravi Kannan, Glenmark's Executive Director of U.S. Distribution & Logistics. "We are proud to call Allentown home and look forward to bringing strong partnerships within this community for years to come."
On hand to celebrate the company's new facility were representatives from LVEDC, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Allentown, Upper Macungie Township, and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
(Photos by LVEDC)