AstraZeneca (NASDAQ: AZN), a global biopharmaceutical company, announced a substantial investment of $300 million to establish a cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Rockville, Maryland. This state-of-the-art facility is poised to support critical cancer trials. This is to facilitate the launch of AstraZeneca’s commercial cell therapy platforms in the US.
The new facility in Rockville will play a pivotal role in AstraZeneca’s mission to bring life-saving therapies to patients worldwide. With a primary focus on manufacturing T-cell therapies, the facility will initially create over 150 highly skilled jobs. These jobs will be instrumental in enabling clinical trials for cancer treatments across the globe. Additionally, the facility has the potential to expand its operations to support research and development in other disease areas. This is further bolstering AstraZeneca’s commitment to medical innovation.
Furthermore, the company’s investment in the Rockville facility marks a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to advance cell therapy research and development. AstraZeneca has forged strategic collaborations with leading organizations such as Quell Therapeutics, AbelZeta, Cellectis (OTCMKTS: CMVLF) , and Neogene Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NEOG). These partnerships underscore AstraZeneca’s dedication to leveraging cutting-edge technologies and scientific expertise to address unmet medical needs in oncology and beyond.
2023 was another year of double-digit growth and scientific progress. In 2024, we are excited to celebrate our 25th anniversary, and continue to deliver for people, society and the planet. #AZN #WhatScienceCanDo pic.twitter.com/Av8gQUQJTc
— AstraZeneca (@AstraZeneca) February 8, 2024
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AstraZeneca expands presence in Maryland
Situated within Maryland’s vibrant life sciences corridor, the Rockville facility benefits from its proximity to AstraZeneca’s global research and development centers. The region has a very robust ecosystem. This coupled with access to top-tier talent from nearby universities, positions the facility for success. Maryland Governor Wes Moore lauded AstraZeneca’s investment. This emphasises its significance in bolstering the state’s leadership in the life sciences industry.
The Rockville facility will seamlessly integrate into AstraZeneca’s extensive global manufacturing and supply network. With nearly 30 manufacturing and supply sites in 16 countries, AstraZeneca is committed to delivering high-quality medicines to patients worldwide. In the US alone, the company’s manufacturing sites employ over 2,600 full-time employees and produce billions of doses of medicines annually.
Furthermore, AstraZeneca’s dedication to advancing oncology cell therapy is evident in its robust research pipeline. The company is actively developing novel therapies aimed at harnessing the immune system’s T-cells to combat cancer effectively. These efforts include the exploration of armoured autologous CAR-T therapies targeting various cancer types, including hepatocellular carcinoma and solid tumors.
AstraZeneca’s investment in the Rockville facility marks a significant milestone in its commitment to advancing cell therapy research and development. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, forging strategic collaborations, and expanding its manufacturing footprint, AstraZeneca aims to accelerate the discovery and development of life-saving therapies for patients worldwide.
zartasha@mugglehead.com
