Cambridge, Mass., Feb. 24, 2015, — WuXi AppTec (NYSE: WX), a leading open-access R&D capability and technology platform company serving the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries with operations in China and the United States, today celebrated the grand opening of its innovation hubnetwork office in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Dennis Benzan (second from right), Vice Mayor of Cambridge, helps cut the ribbon(photos by Menglei Han).
A ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a special WuXi forum – “Massachusetts: The Convergence of Science, Capital & Innovation”, was held at the Cambridge Marriott. Mr. Dennis Benzan, Vice Mayor of Cambridge, Mr. Dongbai Ye, Counselor of the Chinese Consulate in New York, and distinguished leaders along with 200 scientists and entrepreneurs from the life science community attended the event. The forum also featured keynote addresses and a panel discussion on the symbiotic relationship of the local ecosystem and innovation:
- David Altshuler, CSO and EVP of R&D, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
- Scott Biller, CSO, Agios Pharmaceuticals
- John Bishop, SVP of Momenta Pharmaceuticals
- Josh Boger, Executive Chairman, Alkeus
- Alexis Borisy, Partner, Third Rock Venture
- Jorge Conde, CFO, Syros
- Nick Leschly, CEO, Bluebird Bio
- Robert Urban, Head, Johnson & Johnson Innovation Boston
- Susan Windham-Bannister, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
“WuXi Apptec provides a platform for life science research and development, in China and internationally, and we welcome them to the world’s leading region for life sciences innovation,” said Governor Charlie Baker, who was unable to attend the event. “I commend the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center on their successful efforts to recruit WuXi to the Commonwealth, and I look forward to the new jobs and new partnerships that will come as a result.”
“Massachusetts uniquely brings together the best and brightest minds to create innovative solutions that address high unmet medical needs,” said Dr. Richard Soll, Senior Vice President and Head of International Discovery Service Unit of WuXi AppTec and Head of WuXi Boston Office. “Accessing R&D capabilities to translate science to therapeutics and health care products becomes critically important. WuXi builds open access platforms to enable anyone or any company to discover and develop health care products to benefit patients.”
Since its founding in 2000, WuXi AppTec has successfully established a fully integrated services and technology platform with 9,000 employees worldwide and 21 sites and offices globally, including campuses in PA, MN, GA, NJ, and CA in the United States. With the establishment of the new Boston office, located at 222 Third Street, Cambridge, WuXi is now coming closer to innovative companies in Greater Boston, one of the world’s leading biotech hubs.