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Unraveling the Biotech Marvel: Philadelphia's Pioneering Journey in Cell and Gene Therapy

John Fogarty
September 14, 2023

The Genesis of Cell and Gene Therapy in Philadelphia


The inception of modern cell and gene therapy can be traced back to the groundbreaking work of Dr. Carl June and Dr. Bruce Levine at the University of Pennsylvania. Their success paved the way for the first FDA-approved gene therapy in the US, propelling Philadelphia into the forefront of biotechnology.

Inspired by the achievements of Dr. June and Dr. Levine, numerous scientists and visionaries have been drawn to Philadelphia, making it a magnet for biotech talent. The city's esteemed academic institutions and research centers create an environment conducive to collaboration and innovation, fostering a thriving biotech community.

Philadelphia's Rise in the Biotech Industry


Building on the success of cell and gene therapies pioneered by the University of Pennsylvania, the biotech industry in Philadelphia has experienced remarkable growth. The city's advantageous position on the Northeast corridor provides easy access to major markets, investors, and partners, attracting pharmaceutical and biotech giants and driving further innovation.

Mispro to Open Contract Vivarium in Philadelphia's UCity Biocluster


Mispro is excited to be part of Philadelphia's vibrant biotech community. Our full-service contract vivarium lab facility is set to open in UCity in January 2024. The facility offers biosciences companies turnkey preclinical lab space and supporting infrastructure for early-stage in vivo drug development studies.

Mispro’s specialized contract vivarium labs are equipped to support BSL I & II in vivo proof of concept, efficacy, safety/tox, and behavior studies. By enabling biotech companies to conduct research in-house and maintain control over their preclinical R&D, Mispro provides an ideal environment for the development of novel drug candidates, particularly in cell and gene therapies, microbiome targets, and oncology-focused therapeutics.

Mispro’s expansion to Philadelphia is fueled by the rapidly accelerating life sciences real estate in the area, which is projected to offer well over 10M sq ft of life sciences lab and office space by 2026.  As well, metro Philadelphia is home to a thriving biotech community with incubators and a close-knit network of scientists, investors, and biotech organizations offering collaboration and advocacy, typical of major bioclusters.

Mispro is excited to be part of Philadelphia's vibrant biotech community. Our full-service contract vivarium lab facility is set to open in UCity in January 2024.

Philadelphia: The Next Major US Biotech Hub  


Philadelphia's rise in the biotechnology industry, driven by advancements in cell and gene therapy, has transformed it into a global biotech hub. Just like Mispro's other locations in metro Boston, South San Francisco, New York, and Research Triangle Park, the UCity contract vivarium location will contribute to bolstering Philadelphia's thriving biotech ecosystem.

John Fogarty