Memphis Gets its Shot with Vaccine Manufacturer
Published Apr 08, 2002
Retailers like Barnes & Noble, Williams-Sonoma and Nike already know the value of Memphis as a distribution hub, but now a new kind of company is emerging in the distribution sector and choosing Memphis to fulfill its needs. Cell Genesys, a biotechnology company based in Foster City, Calif., is leasing a 35,000-square-foot space at Southpark Industrial Park in Memphis for its new autologous vaccine manufacturing facility.
Two main factors lured Cell Genesys to Memphis: its location as FedEx’s corporate headquarters and main hub and the city’s increasing presence as a biotech center.
“In almost every respect, it’s a perfect mix for us,” says Matthew Pfeffer, vice president and chief financial officer of Cell Genesys. “Not only is it growing as a biotech sector, but with FedEx being a worldwide shipping hub, we can guarantee efficient delivery of our product.”
It’s a perfect mix for Memphis too. “The synergies between the life science industry sector and distribution and logistics are quite evident when you look at the Cell Genesys scenario and how it has unfolded into a success story for Memphis,” says Catherine Elliott, vice president of technology business development at the Memphis Regional Chamber. “We take great pride in the fact that Cell Genesys chose to build a facility in Memphis. They are clearly a part of our vision for Memphis’ future in this New Economy.”
The new facility will produce Cell Genesys’ GVAX customized lung-cancer vaccines for Phase III clinical trials to be submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Once approved, the company will begin manufacturing the vaccines for mass distribution from Memphis.
The vaccines will be engineered from the tumor cells of patients in advanced stages of lung cancer, so prompt delivery of the finished vaccine is critical. Proximity to the FedEx hub will ensure an efficient delivery system for these potentially life-saving treatments. As Pfeffer explains, “The more times a box changes planes, the more likely it is to get misplaced. Being in Memphis, we don’t have to worry about that.”
Story by Erica Steakley
Current Weather Conditions In Nashville, TN (37243)
Rain Shower, and 45 ° F. For more details?
Click here...
