Innovating During COVID-19: New Jersey’s Next Era in Life Sciences

Following 150 years of global leadership in life sciences, cell and gene therapy (CGT) is rapidly accelerating within the New Jersey ecosystem.

As winter began to wane this year, the world was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Unprecedented levels of interest in cell and gene therapies have followed, with research and development (R&D) facilities testing different potential solutions, such as immunoglobulin plasma treatments as part of vaccine trials. At the heart of these efforts, New Jersey’s biopharma industry has played a key role, inspiring collaboration, conducting research, and driving innovation.

In mid-March, New Jersey-headquartered biopharma companies Novartis and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) both became major supporters of a collaborative cell and gene therapy coalition. The brainchild of BMS’ Rupert Vessey and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.’s Andrew Plump, the COVID R&D consortium is comprised of five working groups, with Novartis’ Jay Bradner leading the charge on novel small molecule antivirals.

Several other entities within New Jersey are also hard at work for coronavirus research and manufacturing. Rutgers University researchers developed a saliva-based test for COVID-19 that could replace the nasal swab, as well as an at-home test kit. Rowan University biomedical engineers are studying how the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein affects the blood-brain barrier when the virus attaches to human cells. Hackensack University Medical Center rushed to study antibody-rich plasma therapy options for patients previously infected. Merck & Co., headquartered in Kenilworth, N.J., teamed up with New Jersey’s Hackensack Meridian to collaborate on research on COVID-19 at the health network’s Center for Discovery and Innovation in Nutley. Celularity Inc., in Warren, N.J., is currently researching two cell and gene therapies for COVID-19 and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, the most damaging complication of the virus. It is estimated that over 60 New Jersey companies are currently developing COVID-19 treatments.

“We’re very proud of the fact that our technology was born and raised in the state, and many of our employees are New Jersey natives.” – Dr. Robert Hariri, CEO & Founder, Celularity, Inc.

New Jersey’s Life Sciences Industry

New Jersey’s life sciences ecosystem supports the innovations being advanced by biopharmaceutical companies.

Novartis and Bristol-Myers Squibb

East Hanover, NJ
In mid-March, New Jersey-headquartered biopharma companies Novartis and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) both became major supporters of a collaborative cell and gene therapy coalition.

Hackensack University Medical Center

Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack University Medical Center rushed to study antibody-rich plasma therapy options for patients previously infected.

Merck & Co

Kenilworth, NJ
Merck & Co., headquartered in Kenilworth, N.J., teamed up with New Jersey’s Hackensack Meridian to collaborate on research on COVID-19 at the health network’s Center for Discovery and Innovation in Nutley.

Celularity Inc.

Warren, NJ
Celularity Inc., in Warren, N.J., is currently researching two cell and gene therapies for COVID-19 and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, the most damaging complication of the virus.

Hitachi Chemical

Allendale, NJ
Recently, Hitachi Chemical opened its Advanced Therapeutics Solutions facility in Allendale, N.J.

BioCentriq, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Collingswood, NJ
A key step forward for CGT research is the debut of BioCentriq, a cell and gene therapy production and manufacturing center.

Rowan University

Glassboro, NJ
Rowan University is also well established in translational research for cell and gene therapy since 2001, when the Cell & Gene Therapy Center (CGTC) was founded.

Princeton Innovation Center Biolabs

Princeton, NJ
At Princeton Innovation Center Biolabs, companies are given access to scalable shared office and lab space, and the opportunity to be a part of one of the world’s foremost academic epicenters.

The New Jersey Bioscience Center

North Brunswick Township, NJ
The New Jersey Bioscience Center, owned and run by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, offers a multitude of lab and office space options for companies at all stages of growth.

Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT)

For those familiar with the life sciences sector, the vast amount of activity related to COVID-19 and CGT within the state should not be surprising. New Jersey is a robust life sciences hub, being:

• #1 in the U.S. with 139 FDA-registered biopharma manufacturing facilities
• #1 for employed biochemists and biophysicists
• #2 in biotech strength
• #2 region for National Institutes of Health funding
• #2 for cancer drugs in development

Currently, 12 of the top 22 R&D companies and 13 of the top 20 pharma companies call New Jersey home. Recently, Hitachi Chemical opened its Advanced Therapeutics Solutions facility in Allendale, N.J. New Jersey’s strong concentration of talent, hospital networks, labs, and research universities enables companies of all sizes to collaborate, coordinate research, and be exposed to multiple opportunities. CGT thrives in such an ecosystem of innovation.

Multiple breakthroughs regarding cell and gene therapy have occurred over the years, including:

• Novartis: First ever CART-T cell therapy
• Celularity: CAR-T cell therapy for multiple myeloma
• Merck: Recombinant Ebola vaccine
• Advaxis: Cancer immunotherapy vaccine
• Caladrius: STEM cell therapy for critical limb ischemia
• PTC Therapeutics, Inc.: Pioneer of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) therapy

These achievements are well worth highlighting, but what’s even more exciting is the state’s future potential and sustainability within the sector. As CGT continues its rapid expansion into clinical trials and market availability, New Jersey is set up well for companies of all sizes to source everything from a highly specialized labor force to contract manufacturing facilities.

Higher Education Partnering with Industry

A key step forward for CGT research is the debut of BioCentriq, a cell and gene therapy production and manufacturing center. As a part of the biopharma division of the New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII) and part of the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, it is the only process development and clinical manufacturing facility for CGT on a university campus. With a combined 90+ years in manufacturing experience, the team at BioCentriq takes on projects from both industry titans and startups alike, with each solution customized to the challenge at hand. BioCentriq enables clients to outsource work that they normally couldn’t do in-house. Equally as valuable are the opportunities that NJIT is providing in workforce development and specialized education.

“We are one of the few universities in the country able to offer a Professional Science Masters (PSM) degree program and professional graduate certificate in the rapidly expanding field of cell and gene therapy,” stated Dr. Kevin D. Belfield, Dean of NJIT’s College of Science and Liberal Arts, “and the only university fortunate enough to be able to provide our students and industry partners the opportunity to take advantage of the process development, clinical manufacturing, and workforce development capabilities, as well as the experts and equipment resident at BioCentriq.”

In addition to the new degree program at NJIT, NJII is working with companies to create custom training programs for their workforces and any new hires. The program offers a unique opportunity for companies of all sizes to accelerate their workforce development.

Rowan University is also well established in translational research for cell and gene therapy since 2001, when the Cell & Gene Therapy Center (CGTC) was founded. CGTC combines both clinical and basic research facilities in a partnership with Cooper University Hospital and the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. It specializes in neurological diseases, ideal for studying the coronavirus’ impact on the blood-brain barrier. As it is also a translational research facility, the investigators utilize a multidisciplinary approach to the study of neurological diseases. They use numerous lab techniques to help develop applicable ways for gene transfer and cell transplantation treatments. The program has seen continued success, and even caught the eye of Pope Francis, who met with researcher Dr. Paola Leone in 2015 for her team’s work on Canavan Disease.

Opportunities for Young Companies in New Jersey

New Jersey is providing CGT companies an optimal environment to grow. The state works closely with incubator and accelerator programs to help stimulate opportunities for startups and spin-outs, such as Princeton Innovation Center Biolabs. At the Innovation Center, companies are given access to scalable shared office and lab space, and the opportunity to be a part of one of the world’s foremost academic epicenters. The New Jersey Bioscience Center, owned and run by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, offers a multitude of lab and office space options for companies at all stages of growth.

There are many state programs supporting the life science industry:

• The Angel Investor Tax Credit Program provides refundable tax credits for qualifying investments into eligible early-stage life sciences and technology companies.
• The Net Operating Loss Program offers companies the ability to sell their net operating tax losses and R&D tax credits for cash.
• The New Jersey Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Support Program is a $400,000 grant program offered by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology.
• NJ Ignite provides rent support to life science and technology companies moving to participating collaborative workspaces.

Grow Where You Can Thrive

New Jersey’s biopharma companies are shaping human health, with cell and gene therapy living on the bleeding edge. That’s why more than 50 percent of the Food and Drug Administration’s drug approvals in 2019 were from companies with a New Jersey footprint. New Jersey has been at the forefront of CGT research since the beginning, as the first two cell therapies originated within the state. From top talent to partnerships with our world-class universities and hospital systems, New Jersey is the ecosystem where any CGT company can innovate and find the support it needs.

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