New center for medical innovation to be built in Boston area

A new center for innovation and manufacturing is planned for the the Boston, Massachusetts area to help patients who have not responded to traditional medicines.

The new center was announced by a group of industry leaders in health care, biotech, academic and biopharma industries, according to a Harvard University-issued press release. The center will focus on innovations in cell and gene therapy, gene editing and other technologies. It will cost $50 million to build the center and it will be an independent, nonprofit organization.

“This powerful collaboration embodies the deep and broad world-class expertise in multiple disciplines that exists across this region,” Harvard President Larry Bacow said in the press release. “We are privileged to be part of this collaborative initiative. It will advance scientific discovery, reaffirm the region’s global leadership in the life sciences, and bring forward life-saving and life-changing therapies that will make a difference for people around the world.”

The center will also work on workforce development and training in the field, the press release states.