Baxalta announces opening of global innovation center

BANNOCKBURN - Baxalta Inc., a biopharmaceutical firm dedicated to delivering transformative therapies to patients with orphan diseases and underserved conditions, announced the opening of its global innovation center in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The Center is located in Kendall Square at 650 E. Kendall St. and will act as the innovation hub of the company's global infrastructure designed to effectively deliver advanced treatments to patients.

"We are honored to join this robust biotech community in Cambridge," said Dr. John Orloff, head of research and development and chief scientific officer at Baxalta.

"Kendall Square was a natural choice for the location of our global innovation center. 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."

Baxalta's innovation efforts are focused on the development of lifesaving therapies in hematology, 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 programs in development, and plans to launch 20 new products by 2020, leveraging its experienced leadership team, existing global capabilities and footprint in more than 100 countries.

The center supports cross-functional, co-located teams including, oncology, biosimilars, business development, corporate strategy and customer operations.

By the end of 2015, Baxalta expects to employ approximately 500 individuals at the Global Innovation Center. In addition, the company also operates a hemophilia treatment manufacturing facility in Milford, Massachusetts.