Photo: Chaiel Schaffel
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Biotech company Vertex Pharmaceuticals broke ground on a new expansion Tuesday in the Seaport.
The 345 thousand-square foot add-on will attach to the Jeffrey Leiden Center, an ode to the former Vertex CEO. The expansion is expected to be finished sometime in 2026.
“Massachusetts is now going to be the home to the biggest biotech firm in the world — by square footage,” Gov. Maura Healey said.
In contrast to many biotech companies in Massachusetts that have seen layoffs and downturn, Vertex is hopeful its innovative stem cell research into Type 1 diabetes will be enough to keep the company thriving.
Gov. Maura Healey speaks at the event. Photo: Chaiel Schaffel
The new building can hold 500 employees, something Healey is happy about.
“You guys are what helps give people that feeling of hope and that feeling of possibility, so I want to thank you because you are so central to who we are as a state,” Healey said.
Leiden was at the ceremony for his namesake building.
“I personally can’t wait to see what they do,” he said.
WBZ’s Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.
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