RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (July 23, 2024) – With more than 600 employees, The Ritedose Corporation (Ritedose) is a cornerstone of the manufacturing industry in Richland County, South Carolina.

Ritedose is the leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in sterile Blow Fill Seal (BFS) production of respiratory and ophthalmic medications. Based in Columbia, Ritedose is the largest BFS manufacturer in the United States and serves as a critical pillar in both the South Carolina life sciences ecosystem, as well as the nation for respiratory and ophthalmic medications.

As experts in BFS, Ritedose ensures sterile, efficient, consistent and safe delivery of the medications it manufactures. The company lives by the motto of “Right the First Time,” which has led to an exceptional regulatory inspection and compliance record. Since 2012, Ritedose has successfully supplied more than 12 billion doses of the medications it manufactures to the US Market.

At the helm of Ritedose is President and Chief Executive Officer Jody Chastain. Chastain joined Ritedose in early 2005 leading the Procurement and Planning functions. He first made his mark by finding inefficiencies within the company’s scheduling and procurement processes that made an immediate impact. Over the years he held multiple roles of increasing responsibility, including Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer, before rising to lead the company as President and CEO in 2018. Under his leadership, Ritedose has experienced explosive growth.  During this same time while expanding the Ritedose customer base, he led multiple physical plant expansions of over 150,000 sq ft and what is quickly closing in on $100 million of capital investment in Richland County.

Ritedose is guided by a principle of placing the patients who will use the medication the company develops at the center of everything. For Ritedose, patients are the “why.” Employees take pride in the exacting standards the company sets. And the reason is simple: Ritedose employees are keenly aware that the medications the company manufactures are used by family and friends. 

Over the past 10 years, Ritedose has co-developed and commercialized more than 80% of new products introduced in BFS. Since its founding in 1995, Ritedose has amassed a sterling reputation, allowing it to become the largest sterile contract development manufacturing organization specializing in BFS, in the U.S. with an unmatched100% customer retention rate for more than 25 years.

Currently, Ritedose produces more than 1.5 billion doses annually but that is expected to increase to more than 2 billion doses each year as new products in final stages of development begin to commercialize. In February 2024, Ritedose acquired 105 acres from Midlands Technical College. Ritedose will develop the land into the “Ritedose Performance Park,” to house all planned expansions through 2035. The first building planned for the multi-phase project will be a 225,000 square-foot distribution and logistics center.

The acquisition will expand Ritedose’s Richland County footprint from its current 16 acres to more than 138 acres. Some of the space will be protected from development to incorporate a nature walk surrounding 9 acres of protected wetlands on the property.

In addition to the property expansion, Ritedose is also expanding its BFS manufacturing capabilities with the addition of another 180-million-unit dose capacity for ophthalmic and respiratory medications. The addition is necessary to meet the increasing demand from Ritedose’s existing customers developing cutting edge ophthalmic and respiratory drugs. The expansion, which increases the company’s BFS capacity to more than 2.6 billion units, is expected to be ready for production by August 2024.

The latest expansions will allow Ritedose to add an additional 100 employees. The company can draw talent from its backyard and across the country due to its reputation for producing high-quality products for the patients it serves. Ritedose employees are driven by a mission of service; service to the patients who use the medications made by the company, as well as to the community at large. This missional goal requires more than talent; it also calls for the formation of a thriving, diverse community that upholds and uplifts team members to reach greater heights.  The company aims to provide an exceptional workplace for its employees, one that embraces a culture of caring and the fostering of goodwill. The average salary and benefits at the company can total up to $90,000 per year. That is well above the average salary for the state of South Carolina. As of June 2024, the average salary in South Carolina is $53,047.

With its most recent expansion announcement, Ritedose now employs more than 600 team members and that is likely to grow as the company continues to expand its product and manufacturing lines. This and its people-first culture makes Ritedose an employer of choice across the Midlands.

Ritedose is not just defined by its impressive record retaining clients, just as important is its reputation for community service. The company supports multiple local organizations and national non-profits with its time and resources. Some of the nonprofits Ritedose supports include SC Thrive, Homeless No More, Epworth Children’s Home, Ronald McDonald House, Harvest Hope Food Bank, American Heart Association and Dispensary of Hope, a national charitable medication distributor. Last year, Ritedose donated 77,760 doses of Duoneb (Albuterol/Ipratropium combo) and 46,800 doses of Levalbuterol. This year, Ritedose again heeded the call and pledged to manufacture and provide an astounding one million doses of essential respiratory medications for low-income and chronically ill patients across the country.

Ritedose raised significant funds to support the American Heart Association. This year, Ritedose employees raised more than $77,000 for the AHA during annual Field Day events. For its efforts, the AHA recognized Ritedose as being the top Field Day company in the nation for 2023.

Ritedose has demonstrated significant growth in Richland County and more exciting times are ahead.

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Provided by The Ritedose Corporation in collaboration with the Richland County Economic Development Office.

About The Ritedose Corporation

Ritedose is the largest sterile contract development manufacturing organization (CDMO) in the US specializing in sterile Blow Fill Seal (BFS) technology that ensures sterile, consistent, and safe unit dose delivery. The company’s process guides the development of molecules from clinical trials to commercialization of branded and generic inhalation and ophthalmic medications and compounding single-unit dose syringes. With a focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, Ritedose partners with leading pharmaceutical companies to deliver safe, effective, and reliable medications that improve patient outcomes. For more information about Ritedose and its services: visit Ritedose.com

About the Richland County Economic Development Office:

The Richland County Economic Development Office (RCEDO) works to expand, diversify and sustain the local economy by assisting companies that provide meaningful job opportunities and generate new wealth for its citizens. Founded in 2011, the RCEDO seeks to attract new industry to the community, assist existing companies with potential expansions, and ensure buildings and industrial sites are available for prospects to consider. Connect with RCEDO on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.