Genentech: About Us: Vacaville

Vacaville Product Operations Timeline

1994

Genentech announces it will locate its new $250 million manufacturing facility in Vacaville, California, on October 31, 1994.
As a "good neighbor" gesture and consistent with the company's commitment to science education, Genentech donates $50,000 to the Vacaville Unified School District to install computer equipment for use by teachers and students.

1995

In September, Genentech announces completion of final negotiations surrounding the purchase of its 100-acre site in the Vaca Valley Business Park from Chevron Land and Development Company.
Also in September, construction begins on Vacaville Product Operations, providing the regional and Vacaville economies with several hundred construction jobs until the completion of the facility in 1998.

1996

In May 1996, Genentech donates $25,000 to Solano Community College in support of the college's planned biotechnology education program.

1998

Genentech dedicates its new $250 million manufacturing facility in Vacaville on October 23, 1998. The 310,000-square-foot operation includes five buildings and is the world's largest biotech manufacturing facility for the large-scale production of pharmaceutical proteins. The facility covers approximately 33 acres of the site.
When the facility opens in 1998, approximately 160 individuals are employed in Vacaville.

2000

Genentech's new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Vacaville receives FDA licensure as a multi-product facility on April 25, 2000, allowing it to manufacture and distribute Herceptin® (Trastuzumab).
The "Genentech Goes To Town" community relations program is launched in Vacaville, encouraging Genentech employees to spend nearly $12,000 worth of GenenMoney within the local community during a special two-week period.
Number of employees at year end: 472

2001

Genentech donates $25,000 to support the expansion of the emergency room at NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield, California.
Vacaville Product Operations expands by adding a new 42,000 square foot warehouse and a 50,000 square foot administrative building, bringing the total area of the facility to 420,000 square feet.
As a result of positive community response, Genentech "Goes to Town" in Vacaville for the second year, infusing another $12,000 into the local economy during a two-week period in September.
Number of employees at year end: 518

2002

The Genentech Foundation for Biomedical Sciences awards $50,000 to Vacaville Unified School District in support of a Life Sciences High School in an effort to bring high quality science education programs to local schools.
Vacaville Product Operations adds a 7,000 square foot product freezer, the largest of its kind in California. This addition brings the total square footage of the Vacaville facility to 427,000 square feet. The freezer can hold 360 pallets of product, is 28 feet high and has redundant systems to ensure consistent operations.
Genentech "Goes to Town" in Vacaville for the third year, once again infusing more than $12,000 into the local economy.
In October, Vacaville Product Operations receives FDA licensure for the production and distribution of Rituxan®.
Number of employees at year end: 544

2003

In June, Vacaville Product Operations receives FDA licensure for the production and distribution of Xolair®.
Genentech celebrates the fourth year of "Genentech Goes to Town" during September 2003 and sponsors the city's Jazz Festival.
Number of employees at year end: 572

2004

On April 1, 2004, Genentech announces it will expand Vacaville Product Operations in a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as city and county officials. The expansion includes three new manufacturing buildings comprising 380,000 square feet, and one new 135,000 square foot administration building.
In August, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for the manufacturing of Avastin® (bevacizumab) bulk drug substance at Vacaville Product Operations.
Genentech celebrates the fifth year of "Genentech Goes to Town" during September 2003.
Number of employees at year end: 685

2005

In March, Genentech donated $500,000 to support construction of a new emergency room at VacaValley Hospital.

2007

As of July, more than 940 individuals were employed at Vacaville Product Operations.
Frank Jackson, general manager of the Vacaville facility, announced his retirement. Effective July 9, Charles Calderaro III assumed the role of Genentech's vice president and general manager, Vacaville Operations, succeeding Jackson.

Vacaville