Shire to open rare disease innovation hub

LEXINGTON, Mass. — Shire on Tuesday announced that it had signed a lease for a 343,000-sq. ft. building that begins in Q3 2018 and will see occupancy begin in Q1 2019. The company said that the new location, alongside the space it currently occupies in Kendall Square, will become a cross-disciplinary campus, with various research, clinical development, medical affairs and business development teams working closely to push for innovation in the rare disease space. 

 

“By expanding our presence in Cambridge, with its close proximity to best-in-class hospitals, research institutions, universities and a thriving biotechnology community, we will strengthen our ties with the early innovators around us to shape the next generation of breakthrough therapies for patients with high unmet needs," Shire CEO Dr. Flemming Ornskov said.  Shire Chief Executive Officer Flemming Ornskov. "These plans signify our continued growth and our deep and enduring commitment to serving patients, families and caregivers across the globe who are affected by rare diseases and highly specialized conditions."

 

Shire will retain its current office, lab and manufacturing space in Massachusetts and will grow its presence in Lexington. The company currently employs more than 3,000 people in the state, and occupies more than 2 million square feet there. As part of its planned growth, Shire said ti would undertake a strategic review to identify which functions and individuals will be located there over time. 

 

"I am thrilled that Shire will continue to grow in Massachusetts," said Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. "Shire's commitment to significantly expanding its Kendall Square innovation hub is a testament to the creativity of our state's workforce, and to the competitiveness of the Commonwealth's economy."