STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Sept. 22, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (publ) (Sobi) today formally opened the company's new North American office in Waltham, Massachusetts with a ribbon cutting ceremony arranged in collaboration with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC).
"North America is an increasingly important region for Sobi, and building our team in the Boston area supports us in our efforts to better address the needs of patients and healthcare providers throughout the United States and Canada, " says Geoffrey McDonough, Sobi's President & CEO. "We are delighted to partner and collaborate with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center as we build and grow in the years to come."
Ceremony attendees included local officials and legislators, MLSC President & CEO Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., President, National Organization of Rare Disorders, Dr. Peter Saltonstall, Manager of Business Development, Massachusetts Office of International Trade & Investment Brittany McDonough, MassBio Director of Economic Development & Global Affairs Peter Abair, as well as Sobi's President & CEO, Geoffrey McDonough, and President North America, Rami Levin.
"Thanks to our growth strategy of investing in education, innovation and infrastructure, and the extensive outreach efforts of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, Massachusetts has become the destination of choice for international life sciences companies that want to have a presence in the U.S. market," said Governor Deval Patrick. "We welcome Sobi to their new offices in Waltham and look forward to partnering with them as they grow."
"Massachusetts has one of the largest concentrations of biotech activity in the world. The region has established a broad-based biotech industry segment, and with Massachusetts as a major driver for global biotechnology innovation there is a strong talent pool here. This is essential for us as we grow our North American business," says Rami Levin, President, Sobi North America.
Sobi is a pioneer in biotechnology with world-class capabilities in protein biochemistry and biologics manufacturing. In North America, the Company mainly focuses on inflammatory, genetic, and metabolic diseases. Earlier this year, Sobi assumed direct responsibility for the commercialization of its proprietary product, Orfadin in North America. Orfadin is the only FDA approved therapy for use as an adjunct to dietary restriction of tyrosine and phenylalanine for the treatment of hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT-1).
Sobi has worked closely with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center when developing their plans for their Massachusetts office.
"On behalf of the Center, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the team at Sobi as they open their new North American headquarters in Waltham," said Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the agency charged with implementing Governor Patrick's 10-year, $1 billion Life Sciences Initiative. "Sobi is an excellent addition to a growing cluster of Massachusetts companies that are working to improve the lives of patients with rare diseases. We are excited that Sobi has chosen Massachusetts as the home of its North American headquarters and look forward to partnering with the company as it grows."
About Sobi
Sobi is an international specialty healthcare company dedicated to rare diseases. Our mission is to develop and deliver innovative therapies and services to improve the lives of patients. The product portfolio is primarily focused on Inflammation and Genetic diseases, with two late stage biological development projects within Haemophilia. We also market a portfolio of specialty and rare disease products for partner companies. Sobi is a pioneer in biotechnology with world-class capabilities in protein biochemistry and biologics manufacturing. In 2013, Sobi had total revenues of SEK 2.2 billion (€253 M) and about 550 employees. The share (STO: SOBI) is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm. More information is available at www.sobi.com .
About the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is an investment agency that supports life sciences innovation, research, development and commercialization. The MLSC is charged with implementing a 10-year, $1-billion, state-funded investment initiative. These investments create jobs and support advances that improve health and well-being. The MLSC offers the nation's most comprehensive set of incentives and collaborative programs targeted to the life sciences ecosystem. These programs propel the growth that has made Massachusetts the global leader in life sciences. The MLSC creates new models for collaboration and partners with organizations, both public and private, around the world to promote innovation in the life sciences. For more information, visit www.masslifesciences.com .
MLSC Disclaimer: This announcement is not intended to be a commercial endorsement of any products or services provided or developed by the entities referenced in this release.
| For more information please contact | |
| Media relations | Investor relations |
| Oskar Bosson | Jörgen Winroth, |
| Head of Communications | Vice President, Head of Investor Relations |
| T: +46 70 410 71 80 | T: +1 347-224-0819, +1 212-579-0506 |
| oskar.bosson@sobi.com | jorgen.winroth@sobi.com |
| Angus McQuilken | |
| Vice President for Communications & Marketing | |
| Massachusetts Life Sciences Center | |
| Tel: +1-617 921-7749 | |
| amcquilken@masslifesciences.com | |
HUG#1857464
