UK pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has announced plans to build a $300m cell therapy facility in the city of Rockville, Maryland.
The 84,000 sq ft site will research the immune system’s T-cells and look for ways to help them fight cancer more effectively. In the future, work will be expanded to target other diseases as well.
The development will create 150 full-time jobs and is located near one of AstraZeneca’s five global R&D centres and a life sciences corridor with several universities.
The project will be supported by a $500,000 loan from the Maryland Department of Commerce and a $100,000 grant from Montgomery County’s Economic Development Fund.
Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland, said: “AstraZeneca and Maryland share a deep commitment to innovation. It makes us the perfect pairing for this next-generation cell therapy facility. This significant investment in our life sciences sector will help maintain Maryland’s leadership in the industry and sharpen our competitive edge.”
The facility is due to be completed in 2026. AstraZeneca has 30 manufacturing and supply sites in 16 countries currently operational or under development.
