Maryland and Montgomery County have announced support for the new U.S. headquarters of Autolus, a U.K.-based biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing treatments for cancer. The company plans to create approximately 170 new jobs by 2021. A leader in T-cell programming and manufacturing technology, the company will also have research and development and manufacturing operations in Rockville.

“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.

Autolus will host its operations at its new 85,000-square-foot Rockville facility located on Medical Center Drive; commercial real estate company JLL represented the company in the project. Based in London, Autolus was founded in 2014 as a spin out from University College London. Over the past four years, the company has continued to develop its pipeline of autologous blood cancer and solid tumor T cell programs.

To assist with project costs, the Maryland Department of Commerce has approved a $525,000 conditional loan through the Advantage Maryland Fund (formerly known as the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund). Additionally, Montgomery County is providing a $200,000 conditional loan to help complete the project. The company is also eligible for various state and local tax credits, including the Job Creation Tax Credit and the More Jobs for Marylanders Tax Credit, which incentivizes manufacturers to create new jobs in the state.

“It is exciting news that Autolus is establishing its U.S. headquarters in Maryland to become part of our thriving life sciences community,” said Maryland Commerce Acting Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. “Cutting-edge companies like Autolus choosing to locate in our state reinforces our leadership in the life sciences and positions Maryland as a hub for the development of innovative treatments, diagnostics, and cures.”

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