News & Press
Sarepta Therapeutics to Establish Gene Therapy Center of Excellence in Ohio
Investment further cements Ohio’s place as a leader in gene therapy innovation
Company Name: Sarepta Therapeutics Inc.
Location: Columbus
Industry Sector: Healthcare
Company Profile: Sarepta is leading a revolution in precision genetic medicine and is changing the lives of people living with rare disease. The company has built an impressive array of treatments including for those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy as well as gene therapies for limb-girdle muscular dystrophies, mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and other central nervous system-related disorders, with more than 40 programs in various stages of development. The company’s programs and research focus span several therapeutic modalities, including RNA, gene therapy and gene editing.
Company Website: www.sarepta.com
Project Summary:
Type of Project: New location
Jobs:
- Jobs committed: 100
- Jobs retained: 38
Capital Investment: $32,000,000
Timetable: Hiring for research, technician and general operations positions will begin in Q2 2020.
Company Need:
Sarepta Therapeutics Inc., a leader in precision genetic medicine for rare diseases, sought to establish a Gene Therapy Center of Excellence for research to develop treatments for rare neuromuscular diseases.
Testimonial:
“We see major opportunity in the gene therapy space, and Columbus has the potential to become a hub for innovation in the field. The new Center will help Columbus strengthen its position as a gene therapy leader, as Sarepta continues to work alongside the region’s unparalleled medical institutions like Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which is already a long-standing partner of ours.” – Doug Ingram, president & CEO, Sarepta
Why Ohio?
Sarepta plans to open its new center in an 85,000-square-foot facility in Columbus. With the most advanced science in genetic medicine, the new center will continue to establish central Ohio as the epicenter of gene therapy research and development.
Anchored by the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University, both in Columbus, the state of Ohio has become fertile ground for the rapidly evolving gene therapy industry. This ecosystem attracts top researchers from around the world, and Ohio is tied for No. 4 among states in number of identified gene therapy startups and companies.
In addition to the new building, the company’s investment will be used toward R&D equipment. All employees currently operating out of the company’s Dublin, Ohio, office will transition to the new facility in approximately two to three years.
Collaborators:
One Columbus, the city of Columbus, JobsOhio and the Ohio Development Services Agency