NEWCASTLE, U.K./CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (February 1, 2013) – Leica Biosystems has announced the establishment of its R&D facility in Massachusetts, in operation since August 2012. Citing the state’s global leadership in the life sciences and a growing customer base in the United States, Leica’s presence in Massachusetts will focus on research and development of companion diagnostics. The company’s temporary offices and R&D lab space are in Danvers, Mass., but the Leica Biosystems team has plans to expand by the end of 2013.
The main focus of the Leica Biosystems presence in Massachusetts is to support the pharmaceutical industry through development of targeted companion diagnostic tests. The company is headquartered in Nussloch, Germany, with operations also in the U.K., Australia, China, Singapore and Illinois.
“We are delighted to announce the opening of the Leica Biosystems R&D facility in Boston,” said Matthias Weber, M.D., President of Leica Biosystems. “Being in Massachusetts gives us the ability to collaborate closely with the pharmaceutical industry on a domestic level, and this was a major influence in choosing Boston as our U.S. R&D location. We are already seeing the benefit of our decision, and look forward to our second round of recruitment in 2013.”
“Thanks to our growth strategy of investing in education, innovation and infrastructure, Massachusetts continues to lead the world in life sciences,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “We welcome Leica Biosystems to the Commonwealth and look forward to them creating jobs and economic opportunities here in Massachusetts.”
Through the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, Massachusetts is investing $1 billion over 10 years in the growth of the state’s life sciences supercluster. These investments are being made under the Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative, proposed by Governor Patrick in 2007, and passed by the State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Patrick in 2008.
“We are excited to welcome Leica Biosystems to the fast-growing Massachusetts life sciences community,” said Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. “With its cutting-edge cancer diagnostics technology and processes for histology and tissue processing, Leica Biosystems will be an important partner for the Commonwealth’s R&D-focused organizations in both industry and academia.”
Leica Biosystems is among a growing group of international companies that have recently picked Massachusetts as the place to expand their business in the U.S.
“Massachusetts has become the destination for the world’s most innovative companies across the entire life sciences spectrum,” said Robert K. Coughlin, President & CEO of MassBio, a 600+ member life sciences trade association. “We are thrilled to welcome Leica Biosystems and know they will play a very important role in our world-class life sciences ecosystem.”
“I join the Governor in welcoming Leica Biosystems to Massachusetts,” said Tom Gradel, Manager of Business Development and Protocol Officer at the Massachusetts Office of International Trade & Investment. “Leica Biosystems will join a broad and deep ecosystem in the global hub of life sciences.”
About Leica Biosystems
Leica Biosystems is a global leader in workflow solutions and automation, striving to advance cancer diagnostics to improve patients’ lives. Leica Biosystems provides anatomical pathology laboratories and researchers a comprehensive product range for each step in the pathology process, from sample preparation and staining to imaging and reporting. Leica’s easy-to-use and consistently reliable offerings help improve workflow efficiency and diagnostic confidence. The company is represented in over 100 countries. It has manufacturing facilities in 7 countries, sales and service organizations in 19 countries, and an international network of dealers. The company is headquartered in Nussloch, Germany. Further information can be found at www.LeicaBiosystems.com.
About the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is a quasi-public agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts tasked with implementing the Massachusetts Life Sciences Act, a 10-year, $1-billion initiative that was signed into law in June of 2008. The MLSC’s mission is to create jobs in the life sciences and support vital scientific research that will improve the human condition. This work includes making financial investments in public and private institutions that are advancing life sciences research, development and commercialization as well as building ties among sectors of the Massachusetts life sciences community. For more information, visit www.masslifesciences.com.
