The opening of the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is a noteworthy milestone for Greater Philadelphia’s growing cell and gene therapy sector with the September 29 official opening of the Iovance Cell Therapy Center (iCTC) at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Iovance Therapeutics is a late-stage biotechnology company developing novel T cell-based cancer immunotherapies. In its announcement, the company said iCTC is the first centralized, scalable, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility dedicated to producing tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapies for patients with solid tumor cancers.

“Since Iovance was founded, we have been dedicated to advancing novel cell therapies for patients with solid tumor cancers,” Frederick Vogt, Ph.D., J.D., Interim President and CEO of Iovance said in the announcement. “As the hub of cell and gene therapy and the home of leading hospitals and academic centers, Philadelphia became the city of choice for our internal manufacturing. A little over two years after breaking ground, iCTC is now one of the largest cell therapy manufacturing facilities in the world and may ultimately house hundreds of employees. We now have the capacity to supply broad access to TIL therapies for patients.”

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney also commented on the new facility’s impact on patients and the region.

“The iCTC is a symbol of significant innovation and opportunity for the Commonwealth as hundreds of new, high-paying jobs will ultimately be created at this facility,” Governor Wolf said. “Iovance has already made a positive impact on the region and worked with a great sense of urgency to complete construction and begin initial manufacturing for patients with cancer.”

“The iCTC represents a new model in cell therapy manufacturing and bolsters Philadelphia’s reputation as a leading location for technology, innovation, and life sciences,” said Mayor Kenney. “Iovance is a great example of what companies from around the country and the world may accomplish in establishing Philadelphia as the place to attract talent and grow their business.”

The 136,000 square-foot facility is located at 300 Rouse Boulevard. Learn more at www.iovance.com