Transformative gift from the R.K. Mellon foundation accelerates growth of the region’s biotech ecosystem
(Pittsburgh) The University of Pittsburgh - with support from a $100 million gift from the Richard King Mellon Foundation - will establish Pitt BioForge, a highly specialized biomanufacturing facility that will help bring new cell and gene therapies and other novel treatments to patients and to the marketplace. The new facility offer s the University’s research teams as well as commercial and research partners high-tech manufacturing capabilities, wet lab and other innovation and incubation space. It will also deliver easy access to Pitt’s established research environment and UPMC’s clinical activities.
University leadership envisions a 200,000 - 250,000 s.f. facility which will be equipped to perform the most advanced biomanufacturing processes to bring every state of the life sciences innovation process under one roof. Pitt’s world leading research in gene and engineered cell therapy, microneedle and other novel therapeutics and delivery technologies, and the development of micro- and nono-antibodies will relocate to BioForge.
“The Richard King Mellon Foundation’s gift is nothing short of transformative, and it paves the way for the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC to establish a world-class biomanufacturing hub at Hazelwood Green”
Combined with the University’s own financial commitment and funding from industry partners, the Pitt BioForge is a new anchor to Pittsburgh’s status as a global life science destination for investors and innovators. The facility will bring together clinical, research and academic capabilities to offer ripe opportunities for both early-stage and established companies to advance medical progress. The project will also create new opportunities and connections in Hazelwood and among surrounding communities
“If COVID-19 taught us anything, it’s that we need to discover and manufacture health care advances right here at home. And we are even more eager to lead in this sector because of its potential to generate family-sustaining job opportunities that are accessible to all our communities”