AstraZeneca Opens Rockville Cell Therapy Facility

AstraZeneca opened a $300 million cell therapy facility in May of 2025 in Rockville, Md. Developed by Alexandria Real Estate Equites, the 84,264-rsf building features specialized environments for the production of chimeric antigen receptor therapies (CAR-T) and T-cell receptor therapies (TCR-T). Next-generation biomanufacturing suites will leverage advanced process controls to create life-saving personalized medicine treatments, spanning every step from culturing and formulation to testing. Materials for clinical trials will also be generated to accelerate the commercialization of research breakthroughs.

Representing a shift from reliance on partnerships with contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), the project brings all manufacturing activities in-house to ensure that the highest quality and safety standards are met. Sophisticated automation technologies will streamline and enhance production, with AI and advanced data analytics slated to drive further process optimization and increase efficiency. Part of the company's ongoing $3.5 billion investment in American innovation, the center will initially support the U.S. market, but may eventually contribute to global supply operations.

The Class A+ property is strategically sited in the dynamic ecosystem of the Alexandria Center for Life Science at Shady Grove. The sustainably designed facility provides outdoor terraces, separate passenger and freight elevators, dedicated emergency power, and two levels of subterranean parking. AstraZeneca has executed a 13-year lease for the entire three-story structure. The development team and the company worked closely with Montgomery County’s Department of Permitting Services, enabling the project to open months ahead of schedule. The base building was designed by Gaudreau, now part of EwingCole, with Soltesz as civil engineer and Whiting-Turner as construction manager.