Baxalta opens R&D Global Innovation Centre

Baxalta has announced the official opening of its Global Innovation Centre in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US.

The Global Innovation Centre, located in Kendall Square, will act as the innovation hub of the company’s global infrastructure designed to effectively deliver advanced treatments to patients.

“We are honoured to join this robust biotech community in Cambridge,” said John Orloff, M.D., head of Research & Development and chief scientific officer, Baxalta. “Kendall Square was a natural choice for the location of our Global Innovation Centre. Here we are surrounded by some of the top minds in the industry, immersed in a biotech community that is unparalleled by any other in the world. Our goal is to become a leading development powerhouse to deliver innovative treatments for patients with unmet medical needs.”

“Massachusetts is home to an extensive community of top-tier academic institutions, research facilities and life-science companies,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The biotechnology cluster is an important part of our life-science community and a key driver for our economy. We remain committed to the life-sciences and welcome Baxalta to the Commonwealth.”

Baxalta plans to launch 20 products by 2020

Baxalta’s innovation efforts are focused on the development of lifesaving therapies in haematology, immunology and oncology. The company’s approach to expanding its pipeline is based on an external innovation model, sourcing compounds externally through in-licensing or acquisitions. The Cambridge life science community will provide Baxalta access to a range of innovations and collaboration partners with complementary expertise to advance new treatments for patients.

Baxalta has approximately 40 programmes in development, and says it plans to launch 20 new products by 2020.

The Centre supports cross-functional, co-located teams including R&D, Oncology, Biosimilars, Business Development, Corporate Strategy and Customer Operations, along with others that support or work closely with R&D. By the end of 2015, Baxalta says it expects to employ approximately 500 individuals at the Global Innovation Centre.