Cambridge, Mass. — AstraZeneca has opened a new global strategic research and development center in Kendall Square as part of a more than $1 billion investment in Massachusetts.
The company said the investment will increase its Massachusetts workforce by more than 50 percent in the coming years.
The 570,000-square-foot, 18-story facility at 290 Binney Street will house researchers working across oncology, cell therapy, chronic disease and rare disease programs.
Together with AstraZeneca’s genomic medicine site at 100 Binney Street, the Kendall Square operations will be home to nearly 2,000 researchers and scientists.
The new center includes 10 floors of interconnected laboratories and incorporates robotics, continuous automation and agentic AI to support drug discovery and development.
AstraZeneca said researchers at the site will work on treatments for conditions including COPD, obesity, metabolic disease, breast cancer and rare diseases, while also advancing areas such as cell therapy and biologics.
“Kendall Square is a leading innovation ecosystem, and it is one of the key locations where AstraZeneca will discover the next generation of scientific breakthroughs,” said Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer of AstraZeneca.
He said the new center reflects the company’s long-term commitment to Massachusetts and its focus on developing U.S.-led innovations for patients globally.
The investment is part of AstraZeneca’s broader $50 billion U.S. expansion plan.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said the project reflects the strength of the state’s life sciences ecosystem and scientific workforce.
“AstraZeneca’s more than $1 billion investment is a major vote of confidence in Massachusetts and the extraordinary talent we have here,” Healey said.
AstraZeneca said it also plans to continue investing in academic research partnerships, STEM education, workforce development and local organizations in Massachusetts.
The new Kendall Square center joins AstraZeneca’s broader U.S. network of 24 research, manufacturing, commercial and corporate sites. The company said it employs more than 25,000 people in the United States.
