PRESIDENT ’ S VIEW
Welcome to BeiGene ’ s New R & D Center in New Jersey
It will fight cancer and bring hundreds of jobs to the Garden State .
By Anthony Russo President , CIANJ
I
was honored to be invited to the groundbreaking ceremony at the Princeton West Innovation Center for a new manufacturing and clinical research and development facility being built by BeiGene , a global biotechnology firm .
This impressive new center in Hopewell will bring hundreds of jobs to the Garden State as it focuses on developing innovative and affordable medicine to improve cancer treatment outcomes and access for patients worldwide .
It reasserts New Jersey ’ s distinction as the “ Medicine Chest of the World .” The description refers to our state ’ s high concentration of life sciences companies within its borders . Our colleagues at the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey ( HINJ ) proudly tell us the life sciences industry is one of our state ’ s premiere economic drivers . Fourteen of the world ’ s top 20 biopharmaceutical companies and 11 of the world ’ s top medical technology companies maintain a significant presence in New Jersey .
Many of CIANJ ’ s members are life science companies and / or provide service or products to the industry . Healthcare has always been a prime focus of our organization and we are pleased to support its growth .
John Oyler , co-founder and CEO of BeiGene , said : “ Our planned flagship U . S . R & D and manufacturing center supports our commitment to fight for life for people living with cancer around the world , through state-of-the-art , commercial-stage biological pharmaceutical manufacturing , late-stage research and clinical development capabilities .
“ The Princeton-Hopewell area is an excellent location for BeiGene and the thriving life science community , with a deep talent pool as we continue to advance our pipeline of innovative cancer medicines and work to diversify our global supply chain .”
Gov . Phil Murphy saluted BeiGene at the ceremony , emphasizing the company ’ s job creation . The governor welcomed BeiGene to the Princeton area and expressed his hope that the move was a response to New Jersey ’ s commitment to grow the state ’ s business-friendly environment and dedication to fostering innovation .
Last year BeiGene acquired the Hopewell property from Lincoln Equities Group and retained DPR Construction as the construction manager and IPS-Integrated Project Services , LLC as the architectural and engineering firm for the project . The tract has more than 1 million square feet of developable property , providing great opportunity for future expansion .
“ The Princeton-Hopewell area is an excellent location for BeiGene and the thriving life science community , with a deep talent pool as we continue to advance our pipeline of innovative cancer medicines and work to diversify our global supply chain .”
In the initial construction phase , BeiGene will create approximately 400,000 square feet of dedicated commercial-state biological pharmaceutical manufacturing space . The Princeton area plant is the second New Jersey site for BeiGene ; with the other located in Ridgefield Park . Across the United States , BeiGene also has four other operations , in San Mateo and Emeryville , California , Cambridge , Massachusetts , and Fulton , Maryland . The 12-year-old company also has offices in China , Australia and across Europe .
BeiGene is committed to advancing best- and first-in-class clinical candidates internally or with like-minded partners to develop impactful and affordable medicine for patients across the globe . The company has a growing R & D and medical affairs team of approximately 2,900 colleagues dedicated to advancing more than 100 clinicals that have involved more than 14,500 subjects .
Dr . Shereef Elnahal , the former state health commissioner who now serves as president and CEO of University Hospital in Newark , welcomed BeiGene also , and eagerly anticipated collaborating on cancer research .
Last year BeiGene allied with Novartis in a special program that granted Novartis the rights to co-develop , manufacture and commercialize BeiGene ’ s anti-PD1 antibody tislelizumab for the treatment of esophageal and lung cancers in North America , Europe and Japan . This initial partnering led to more collaboration between the two companies with the latest development being an agreement through which BeiGene will promote five approved Novartis oncology products across designated regions of China .
It is exhilarating to see the collaboration between these two giants in the industry . Their efforts will not only help patients across the world by offering innovative therapies , they will boost local and regional economies , enabling them to thrive . At CIANJ , we enthusiastically welcome BeiGene to New Jersey and pledge our support to its success .
BeiGene ’ s new manufacturing and clinical research and development facility being built in New Jersey .
Photo : BeiGene
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