Baxalta Incorporated launched Wednesday as a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to delivering transformative therapies to patients with orphan diseases and underserved conditions.

The company officially split off of Baxter International, which announced the plans to become two companies in early 2014.
Baxter International is a $9.4 billion medical products company and Baxalta Incorporated is a $5.8 billion BioScience business.

Baxalta is in the process of building a 162 acre facility in Stanton Springs Industrial Park off Hwy. 278, which includes 54 acres in Newton County. The facility will produce plasma-based treatments Gammagard and Albumin by 2018.

Baxalta plans to launch 20 new products by 2020, leveraging the company’s experienced leadership team, existing global capabilities and footprint in more than 100 countries. As of Wednesday, Baxalta began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “BXLT”.

“Baxalta launches with a rich heritage in pioneering innovations and strategic partnerships, which positions us well to continue to develop transformative therapies. What sets us apart is our uncompromising focus on understanding patients’ needs and experiences every step of the way,” said Ludwig Hantson, chief executive officer and president, Baxalta Incorporated. “We are leveraging science and external innovation to spark discovery and work with all stakeholders – patients, healthcare professionals and policymakers - to ensure access and improve standards of care.”