PharmaEssentia Corporation, a global biopharmaceutical innovator headquartered in Taiwan leveraging deep expertise and proven scientific principles to deliver new biologics in haematology and oncology, announced plans for a new PharmaEssentia Innovation Research Center (PIRC) in the greater Boston, Massachusetts area. The facility is expected to recruit 25 scientists over the next two years.

“This new centre in the US will grow PharmaEssentia’s research capabilities and help cultivate local talent, building upon our invention and discovery-based innovation efforts originally established in Taiwan that led to a transformative advancement for polycythemia vera,” said Ko-Chung Lin, Founder and CEO, PharmaEssentia. “We are expanding our technical expertise within the epicentre of biotechnology in the US, attracting experts to focus on discovery efforts in haematology, oncology and immunology to better understand and address the critical needs of those living with difficult-to-treat diseases.”

PIRC will be equipped with a state-of-the-art lab featuring cutting-edge technology to support the identification and development of therapeutic opportunities. This new facility will be led by Lih-Ling Lin, Chief Scientific Officer, PharmaEssentia, who will leverage her robust industry experience and scientific proficiency to accelerate priority development programmes.

PharmaEssentia aims to expand its current expertise in related therapeutic areas and identify novel approaches in early to mid-stage discovery and development. At PIRC, data scientists will leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to inform new target and indication selections. The company is also recruiting talented scientists who have deep knowledge of immunology and an interest in developing novel drugs employing disease-driving biology, novel technology in protein engineering, antibody discovery and new modality development.

“As a member of MassBio, PharmaEssentia’s commitment to progressing meaningful research exemplifies a passion for improving patient care and what it means to be a champion of the life sciences industry,” said Joe Boncore, Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio) Chief Executive Officer. “The PharmaEssentia Innovation Research Center will contribute to the growing development of the biopharma scientific workforce in our state that is well-positioned for the next generation of therapeutic innovation.”