Lyell Immunopharma Expansion is Underway in Bothell

Lyell Immunopharma is investing $50 million in a new 70,000 square foot manufacturing facility located in the Canyon Park Business Center in Bothell. This investment will support multiple clinical programs and eventual scale-up of manufacturing to meet late stage clinical development needs. Stephen Hill, Chief Technical Officer, Lyell Immunopharma, noted that “the facility is expected to generate approximately 100 jobs and establish key capabilities for Lyell to further its mission to find curative therapies for cancer patients. With cell therapy manufacturing and patient tracking systems, Lyell intends to grow into a fully integrated organization that is capable of manufacturing an uninterrupted supply for patients in need of life-saving therapies.”

Lyell was formed in 2018 and is addressing the unsolved problems of creating reliable, curative adoptive cell therapy for solid tumors. Lyell brings together an unrivaled scientific team with a collection of novel technologies aimed at tackling three barriers to this unsolved challenge: redefining the cell preparations for cell-based immunotherapy; modulating T cells to maintain their functionality within the solid tumor microenvironment; and controlling the specificity and safety of solid tumor-directed T cells armed with TCRs, CARs or other targeting modalities. Together, they believe these approaches will improve the effectiveness of cell therapy for cancer.

“We are thrilled to see Bothell’s life science sector grow with an exciting new company like Lyell,” said Bothell Mayor Liam Olsen. “With support from Governor Inslee’s Economic Development Strategic Reserve Fund (SRF) and our partners at Economic Alliance Snohomish County, Bothell is creating a new generation of jobs and fulfilling its vision of becoming a renowned life science center.”

The Washington State Department of Commerce worked with Economic Alliance Snohomish County to provide a $200,000 grant from the SRF to facilitate Lyell’s expansion and support growth of the region as a center for cell therapy technologies. State funds were used to offset a portion of the costs of planning, engineering and technical studies to support construction of the building.

“Lyell’s expansion is another exciting development for Washington’s world-leading cluster of research institutions and startup companies that are advancing cell-based immunotherapies for treating cancer,” said Commerce Director Lisa Brown. “We are delighted to support this important addition of manufacturing capacity to a life science ecosystem that is providing life-saving discoveries as well as excellent non-degree jobs in a key growth sector of our economy.”

The growth of biotechnology in Bothell is directly connected to industry activity in Seattle. The proximity to Seattle offers manufacturing space at lower costs to support companies, such as Lyell, as they progress from R&D to commercialization. Juno Therapeutics (Bristol Meyers Squibb) made a similar move in establishing their Bothell processing facility (JUMP) in 2016. Other biotech companies in Bothell include AGC Biologics, Seattle Genetics and Alder Biopharmaceuticals (Lundbeck).

Dom Amor, Interim President and CEO of Economic Alliance, stated “Life science is the second largest industry cluster in Snohomish County with 5000 jobs in biotechnology and medical device. As Bothell implements its update of the Canyon Park Comprehensive Plan, we expect more life science companies will be attracted to the area. EASC will partner with the City to recruit these companies and their skilled workforce.”

About Economic Alliance Snohomish County

A non-profit serving as a combined economic development organization and countywide chamber of commerce. Economic Alliance Snohomish County is a catalyst for economic vitality resulting in stronger communities, increased job creation, expanded educational opportunities, and improved infrastructure.