In Millburn: Big Pharma Company Settling Into New Digs On East Willow

MILLBURN, NJ — Advanced Accelerator Applications (AAA) is settling into its new digs at 57 East Willow Street in Millburn, which may soon supply its cancer-fighting drug, Lutathera, to the entire North American market, company officials say.

Last spring, the European-based company stirred up controversy in Millburn when it announced that it planned to construct its first U.S. manufacturing and distribution facility on East Willow Street.

The facility will use Lutetium-177, a radioactive isotope, to manufacture Lutathera, an “orphan drug” that attaches to tumor cells and destroys targeted tissues, according to the company.

Millburn and Short Hills residents have expressed concern that the manufacturing facility – which is located in close proximity to children and schools - might produce safety hazards in the event of a leak, fire or other emergency.

However, an independent expert testified in February of 2016 that there is “close to zero without being zero risk” of the public being subjected to a radioactive dose during ordinary operations or in a disaster scenario of fire and flooding on the site, according to TAP Into Millburn/Short Hills.

Construction on the facility was completed during the summer, and the site currently distributes NETSPOT kits for reconstitution and Oxygen-18 enriched water.

The building itself is an older structure built in 1968, which was “transformed to serve a new, cutting edge purpose,” according to Sheldon Gross Realty, the brokers who helped to bring AAA to Millburn.

As of Monday, the facility is still undergoing validation for production of Lutathera. If validated, the Millburn site is expected to supply Lutathera to “the entire North American market,” company officials stated.

AAA Chief Operating Officer James Cook previously stated that the company looked at several possible locations for a new facility, ultimately choosing Millburn because it’s in walking distance to the train station and is located near Newark Airport.

In March of 2016, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority approved a 10-year award estimated at $120,000 to AAA as part of the state’s Grow New Jersey Assistance Program, which was intended to “encourage the applicant to make a capital investment and locate in Millburn Township.”

Photo: Success Communications Group

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com