Amicus Therapeutics plans to build a gene therapy R&D center in the heart of Philadelphia’s University City, not long after inking a $100 million deal to acquire Celenex and its 10 gene therapies.
The new 75,000-square-foot facility—to be nestled between the campuses of Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania, and adjacent to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center—will serve as the global headquarters for Amicus’ scientific work and the home of its gene therapy leadership team.
Following its completion in the second half of this year, it is slated to house up to 200 employees, including Jeff Castelli, Ph.D., Amicus’ chief portfolio officer and newly appointed head of gene therapy, as well as Chief Science Officer Hung Do, Ph.D.
During construction, an initial group of researchers has moved into temporary laboratory space at the Cambridge Innovation Center, based in the same part of the mixed-use community dubbed uCity Square. Going forward, Amicus will continue its global business operations in Cranbury, New Jersey, and maintain its international headquarters in Marlow, U.K.
“In considering locations, Philadelphia became the clear choice as a burgeoning hub for medical breakthroughs,” said John Crowley, chairman and CEO of Amicus, in a release. The company also noted plans to attract and retain new talent, as well as foster external collaborations within the rare disease research community.
“The proximity to our collaborators at the University of Pennsylvania and other major academic centers and hospitals in the area also provides a tremendous opportunity to advance our commitment to gene therapies,” Crowley said.
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Amicus is currently working on a research collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania and its Orphan Disease Center, on adeno-associated virus vector gene therapies aimed at four genetic disorders: Pompe disease, Fabry disease, CDKL5 deficiency and an additional undisclosed rare metabolic disease.
“The close proximity between the Amicus Center of Excellence and our campus will further strengthen this relationship and create additional opportunities to work together,” said J. Larry Jameson, M.D., Ph.D., executive VP of the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System and dean of the Perelman School of Medicine.