Greater Philadelphia is a hotbed for cell and gene therapy, with over 10 percent of global companies in this sector rooted right here. This burgeoning field now sustains over 7,000 jobs locally, highlighting its vital role in our economy, as detailed in a new study backed by the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia.

Titled “Leading the Way: Cell and Gene Therapy in Greater Philadelphia,” this comprehensive analysis shines a spotlight on the sector’s explosive growth over the last decade. The region’s blend of emerging and established companies, cutting-edge research universities, and a deep pool of talented professionals creates a perfect storm for innovation and economic prosperity.

Together, these elements foster groundbreaking treatments for numerous diseases and drive significant economic success.

Chellie Cameron, President and CEO of The Chamber, states, “Every day, we witness the dedication of companies and researchers striving to advance cell and gene therapy. Our region provides all the necessary resources, making it the prime spot for such transformative work.”

The study, carried out by Rhode Island-based Ninigret Partners LLC and funded by the Knight Foundation, serves as a resource for community members, industry professionals, and policymakers to further similar growth strategies on various scales.

John Churchill of the Knight Foundation remarks, “We aim to nurture community trends, which is why we supported this study. Greater Philadelphia stands out as a leading global hub for advanced cell and gene therapy innovations.”

Claire Greenwood, Executive Director and Senior VP of Economic Competitiveness for The Chamber, adds, “Cell and gene therapy started here 25 years ago. Today, it’s a robust ecosystem that’s a significant part of our life sciences industry, supported by numerous regional economic contributors.”

Key highlights from the report:

• Greater Philadelphia is now home to 60 of the estimated 500 cell and gene therapy companies worldwide, including five of the Top 100 “Companies to Watch.”
• More than 7,000 people in Greater Philadelphia work in the cell and gene therapy field at institutions and cell and gene therapy companies.
• Greater Philadelphia is ranked #2 in the country for NIH funding for Cell and Gene Therapy (combined) and #1 for Gene Therapy. The Greater Philadelphia region has received more than $362 million in cell and gene therapy NIH funding since 2019.
• The region is the (national/international) leader in translational science, and a Top 5 location for Phase I and II trials in both novel cell and gene therapies.
• Two of the Top 10 largest holders of patents in gene therapy are in the Philadelphia region.
• Since 2018, 547 life sciences companies headquartered in Greater Philadelphia have raised $18.7 billion in capital through venture capital, acquisitions, IPOs, licensing deals, and/or debt, with approximately $8 billion of that capital related to CGT.

Recent infrastructure developments include a new Charles River CRADL facility, Mispro biotech services, the Cencora CGT Integration Hub, and the IBX Advanced Therapeutics Network.

These complement the ongoing Cell & Gene Therapy and Connected Health Initiative, launched in January 2019, aimed at shared storytelling, infrastructure development, talent cultivation, and ecosystem scaling.

Access the full report on The Chamber’s website to learn more about how Greater Philadelphia is spearheading these life-changing therapies.