ElevateBio and the University of Pittsburgh Announce Creation of Pitt BioForge BioManufacturing Center

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BP Elements, BioPharm International's BP Elements, September 2022, Volume 1, Issue 9

In partnership with the University of Pittsburgh, ElevateBio will open its next manufacturing center in the city.

ElevateBio, a biotechnology company specializing in cell and gene therapies, recently announced a long-term strategic partnership with the University of Pittsburgh to accelerate the development of innovative cell and gene therapies. Under the agreement, ElevateBio will locate one of its next BaseCamp process development and good manufacturing practice manufacturing facilities, the Pitt BioForge at Hazelwood Green, in Pittsburgh.

According to an Aug. 25, 2022 company press release, the new facility will be equipped with gene editing, induced pluripotent stem cell, cell, vector, and protein engineering capabilities. The university was awarded a $100 million grant by the Richard King Mellon Foundation in November 2021 to support creation of the facility. The facility is expected to generate 170 full-time jobs, 900 construction jobs, and 360 off-site support jobs.

“This announcement supports the region's rise as a leader in cell and gene therapy and advances our vision of bringing an entirely new commercial manufacturing sector to the area," said Patrick Gallagher, chancellor, University of Pittsburgh, in the press release. "The University of Pittsburgh is proud to partner with ElevateBio in this work, which will see us leveraging lessons from the lab—in new and exciting ways—for the benefit of human health.”

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“To realize our vision of transforming the cell and gene therapy field for decades to come, broadening our footprint across metropolitan areas is a key priority for us, and we are thrilled that the University of Pittsburgh will be home to one of our BaseCamp facilities,” said David Hallal, chairman and CEO, ElevateBio, in the press release. “We’ve identified Pittsburgh as an ideal location to extend our BaseCamp presence as it sits at the intersection of science, technology, and talent. We are grateful for the support of the Governor and County Executive as we bring the first-of-its-kind offering we have built at ElevateBio BaseCamp to advance the work of the entire biopharmaceutical industry.”

Source: ElevateBio