Eleven highly connected counties comprise Greater Philadelphia, and spread throughout the entire region are employers dedicated to the discovery, commercialization, and delivery of cell and gene therapies. From Princeton, New Jersey, to Newark, Delaware, and points in between, the cell and gene therapy sector is sewn into the fabric of Greater Philadelphia. The result is accessibility to rewarding employment opportunities regardless of preference for urban, suburban or rural living.

Accessibility

Those interested in a suburban setting will find that the interstate highway system is complemented by an award-winning network of local commuter rails, buses and trolleys that serves commuters throughout Greater Philadelphia including SEPTA, DART, PATCO, NJ Transit, RiverLINE.  These make readily accessible the main campuses of world-class research, academic, and medical centers found within the city limits. In addition, hubs of discovery lie throughout the MSA. In Lower Gwynedd, for example, Spring House Innovation Park, home to the Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing and Ben Franklin Technology Partners among others, is next-door to Janssen Research & Development. King of Prussia’s Discovery Labs are hosts to University of Pennsylvania’s gene therapy program, and the industry spans through to Delaware at ChristianaCare’s Gene Editing Institute. There are also emerging and high-growth firms in towns like Exton, Wayne, and Bala Cynwyd to name a few.

It’s also worth noting that living in the Philadelphia suburbs means not only being close to the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, but also a short train ride to New York City or Washington D.C. Philadelphia International Airport is just off I-95 and there are four other international airports within a 90-minute drive.

Livability

Greater Philadelphia provides a highly desirable quality of life. The region has roughly 2,700 K-12 schools, including some of the top-rated high schools and colleges in the nation. When the work or school week is over, recreational opportunities abound. Head, for example, to the numerous eateries in Doylestown, New Hope, and Plymouth Meeting. Or spend the weekend outdoors biking, running, or rollerblading on the hundreds of miles of Circuit Trails, or simply enjoying nature at Evansburg, Neshaminy, and Tyler State Parks. Fit in a history lesson at numerous historic sites, like Valley Forge National Park or Washington Crossing State Park. Interested in local shopping or nightlife? The third largest mall in the U.S., the King of Prussia Mall, is right around the corner with more than 450 stores and restaurants.

In sum, for the employees working in the cell and gene therapy sector who call the region home, Greater Philadelphia has proven to be the best of both worlds with attributes that satisfy both their personal and professional lives. Cell and gene therapy has an established ecosystem in Greater Philadelphia, and the industry is rapidly expanding. Approximately 5,000 of the region’s citizens currently work in this field and as many as 11,000 jobs are expected to open up in Greater Philadelphia within the next decade. With the region’s accessibility and livability paired with the industry’s legacy and momentum, this is just the beginning.