Boehringer Ingelheim, through its subsidiary NBE Therapeutics, has inaugurated a new antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) research and development facility in Basel, Switzerland.
NBE Therapeutics, established in 2012 and integrated into Boehringer Ingelheim in 2020, is central to the German drugmaker’s oncology research initiatives.
The company specialises in next-generation ADCs, which deliver cancer-fighting agents directly to tumour cells, minimising impact on healthy tissues.
The new facility represents a CHF27m ($31.5m) investment in ADC research and development over several years, to advance cancer treatment.
It will feature energy-effective design and responsibly sourced materials, and provide 1,826m2 of laboratory and office space.
The facility will serve as a workplace for around 50 scientists and supporting staff, facilitating seamless collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim’s global network.
NBE Therapeutics CEO Jean Engela said: “This investment in a new, cutting-edge research centre underscores our strong commitment to deliver breakthrough innovation to people living with cancer.
“We are confident that this state-of-the-art building will enable our team of scientists to accelerate the development of next-generation ADCs, ultimately impacting the lives of patients battling cancer.”
Boehringer Ingelheim Innovation Unit and NBE Therapeutics Board of Directors chairperson CFO Karl Penz said: “Switzerland offers an unparalleled biotech ecosystem. By strengthening our presence here, we are reinforcing our commitment to advancing innovative cancer treatments.”
The Basel facility will focus on developing a complete pipeline of ADCs targeting novel tumour spaces for next-generation cancer therapies.
It will enable an advanced research environment, strengthening collaboration among scientists and experts within Boehringer Ingelheim’s global oncology network.
The facility aligns with Swiss sustainability standards and has received the DGNB Certificate Gold from the Schweizer Gesellschaft für Nachhaltige Immobilienwirtschaft (SGNI).
It complements Boehringer Ingelheim’s oncology pipeline, which includes a recent license agreement with Synaffix and a new facility at its oncology research site in Vienna, Austria.
The new facility aims to become a hub for ADC research, supporting the company’s strategy to develop advanced cancer therapies to enhance patient care.
