VectorBuilder plans to invest $50 million to build an Advanced Biomanufacturing and R&D Center in Chicago, significantly expanding its U.S. presence and support for genetic medicine development. The multi‑phase facility, which is expected to begin initial operations in 2027, will integrate research and development with manufacturing across the company’s gene delivery portfolio, with future expansion tied to customer demand and program scale.
The company said the investment reflects a broader shift in the gene and cell therapy sector, where early vector design is increasingly linked to manufacturability, regulatory requirements and clinical performance. As more gene and cell therapy programs move into clinical development, there is growing demand for platforms that can support both discovery work and scalable production without redesign at later stages.
“Despite recent volatility in the CGT field, we see strong long-term momentum in genetic medicine,” said Bruce Lahn, PhD, chief scientist of VectorBuilder. He said the decision underscores the company’s belief that gene delivery will be a defining factor in the next phase of the industry and noted that the new center will allow VectorBuilder to leverage local talent while strengthening biomanufacturing and R&D in a fully integrated way as demand rises.
The Chicago center is being designed to support a full range of gene delivery capabilities, including plasmids, recombinant viral and nonviral vectors, and genetically engineered cells. By consolidating these activities into a unified workflow, VectorBuilder aims to improve continuity from research-grade constructs to GMP manufacturing and reduce fragmentation across the development continuum.
“Chicago is quickly establishing itself as a meaningful center for life sciences innovation, with growing investment in infrastructure and access to deep scientific talent,” said Kristofer Mussar, PhD, chief operating officer of VectorBuilder. He added that the city’s central location will help the company better support U.S. customers as their programs enter clinical development and require tighter coordination between R&D and manufacturing.
The expansion is expected to increase capacity and shorten turnaround times for North American clients, particularly as projects transition from early research to IND‑enabling studies and clinical production. Luisa Iruela‑Arispe, PhD, chair of the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, said access to advanced development and manufacturing capabilities is becoming more critical as gene and cell therapy pipelines mature, and that bolstering regional capacity in North America can help accelerate the translation of research breakthroughs into clinical applications.