The investment will help Astellas to establish a significant presence in life science innovation hotspots in the world and grow its R&D footprint to expedite innovation and provide value to patients in Massachusetts
Rendering of Astellas’ new life sciences facility at 441 Morgan Avenue. (Credit: PRNewswire/ Astellas Pharma Inc.)
Astellas Pharma and DivcoWest, a DivCore Capital Company, have announced plans to open Astellas’ new life sciences facility at 441 Morgan Avenue, in the Cambridge Crossing (CX) neighbourhood in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Astellas, a Japanese pharmaceutical company, will establish a significant presence in life science innovation hotspots in the world using this investment.
It also aligns with the firm’s commitment to grow its R&D footprint in order to expedite innovation and provide value to patients.
Developed by Ennead and Jacobs Consulting, 441 Morgan is the fifth lab-ready building at CX. It is located near the neighbourhood’s entrance.
When finished, 441 Morgan will include five outdoor terraces, direct access to a five-acre park, integrated building technologies, including smart technology View Glass, three underground levels of parking, and a bike room.
Astellas chief medical officer Tadaaki Taniguchi said: “This investment in Cambridge represents a significant milestone for Astellas, enabling us to continue growing our presence in the Greater Boston area and to create additional hubs for innovation and collaboration.
“We view this as a strategic approach to enhance our ways of working, foster new collaborations and open up new opportunities in the biopharma ecosystem.”
In 2024, Astellas plans to occupy two floors, or roughly 62,000ft², of the new construction to house both office and laboratory areas.
According to the pharmaceutical firm, the lab space will be used by Mitobridge and Discovery Accelerator, which will act as an additional incubator space for external collaborators.
The company’s workers from Boston will eventually work in the new structure in the Medical & Development, Business Development, and Research departments.
DivcoWest managing director Mark Roopenian said: “We are thrilled to welcome Astellas to Cambridge Crossing.
“Through thoughtful and purposeful design, CX has become home to some of the world’s leading life science and biotech companies offering both the built environment forward-thinking companies need for today’s research and development, and the vibrant community employees desire.”