ROCKVILLE, MD — London-based biopharmaceutical firm Autolus plans to base its new U.S. headquarters in Rockville and create about 170 jobs in 2021. The company — which develops cancer treatments using T cell therapy — announced it has signed a long-term, full-building lease with Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. in a Monday press release.

To help with project costs, the Maryland Department of Commerce has approved a $525,000 conditional loan through the Advantage Maryland Fund. Montgomery County is also providing a $200,000 conditional loan. "The attraction of this British life sciences company — including its American headquarters and manufacturing facility — is a testament to the strength of Montgomery County's ever-expanding biotechnology cluster," said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich in a statement. "We are particularly excited that Autolus' therapies could spur new treatment options for cancer patients."

The 85,000-square-foot facility will be located in the Shady Grove Life Sciences Center and house a manufacturing center, as well as commercial, corporate, and research and development offices. In a statement, Autolus said its full commercial-scale manufacturing center plans to produce 5,000 T cell therapies annually.

"Autolus is delighted to base its U.S. headquarters in Montgomery County, Maryland. With its educated and diverse workforce and proximity to world-class research facilities and universities, Montgomery County was the natural choice for us to base our U.S. hub," said Matthias Alder, senior vice president and chief business officer of Autolus.

T cells, also known as T lymphocyte, are a subtype of white blood cells that protect the body from infection and may fight cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. "Normally our T cells can detect and eliminate abnormal or cancerous cells but sometimes these cells can escape detection and develop into tumours," Autolus said. "To overcome this problem Autolus is applying its advanced cell programming technologies and specialised manufacturing processes to develop programmed T cell product candidates."

Gov. Larry Hogan, who is in remission from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer, voiced his support for the new facility, which is expected to generate approximately 170 jobs in 2021.



"Autolus' decision to locate its new U.S. headquarters and create more than 170 jobs in our state underscores our administration's promise to continue creating job opportunities for Marylanders, particularly in a field as close to my heart as cancer research," Hogan said. "Our highly educated workforce and proximity to leading federal research labs and world-class universities makes Maryland an outstanding location for global companies looking to establish or grow their U.S. presence in the life sciences and technology sectors."