BioVectra, the Charlottetown drug manufacturer purchased last year by Questcor Pharmaceuticals of Anaheim, Calif., for $100 million, has begun the latest expansion of its facility near the city’s airport.

The drugmaker is demonstrating the economic benefits of an exit by adding 13,000 square feet of space to its factory at a cost of $3.8 million. The company needs the extra space because it is increasing its work force from 140 people in 2012 to 250 people by the end of this year.  

BioVectra received a $3 million loan last year through theAtlantic Canada Opportunities Agency's  Atlantic Innovation Fund, which it said would help to finance anexpansion of the business.

The company said in a statement the expansion will primarily comprise laboratory, offices, workstations, and amenity space.

Current office and lab areas at the facility are also being renovated to accommodate new equipment and meeting configuration requirements, said the statement. It expects to complete the construction by November.

‘We are pleased that our business growth has created new jobs at BioVectra, and we are investing in establishing proper workspace for our employees, and support services for our clients,” said CEO Ron Keefe in the statement. ‘We are continuing to grow the business with existing and new customers, requiring new skilled employees in key areas such as manufacturing, quality control, quality assurance, engineering, and maintenance functions.”