A New York City-based antivirals company announced it has moved its headquarters to Rockville and is expected to hire 50 scientists and engineers within the next three years.
Autonomous Therapeutics, Inc.. is moving to Montgomery County to be close to numerous researchers, regulators and funders in the Washington, D.C. area, the company stated in a news release.
Its new home on East Jefferson Street is in an Opportunity Zone. ATI currently has 15 employees.
The company is developing a suite of first-in-class “Therapeutic Interfering Particles that could prevent respiratory pandemics like COVID-19 and influenza,” according to the news release. The therapeutics it is working on are designed to prevent inventions by any coronavirus strain and currently is transitioning its antiviral candidates for human clinical trials.
Top talent and our prime location are helping us lead the response to COVID-19. Excited that rapidly growing Autonomous Therapeutics has chosen Rockville for its new HQ, developing therapeutics to prevent infections from coronavirus or the next pandemic:https://t.co/yY1NYFNcxl pic.twitter.com/1UQXtXeFrm
— Councilmember Andrew Friedson (@Andrew_Friedson) October 15, 2020
“Expanding to Montgomery County has been an excellent outcome for our growing company. We needed to get up and running quickly, and Montgomery County could – and did – make that happen,” said Dr. Ariel Weinberger, CEO of Autonomous Therapeutics. “We worked together to identify an ideal lab and manufacturing space from which to source top talent and to accelerate our COVID-19 work in a world-class biotech hub adjacent to leading organizations like NIH, BARDA, and the Department of Defense.”
County Executive Marc Elrich welcomed the company. “With our world-class life science strengths, talent pipeline and quality of life, we look forward to seeing the trajectory of this innovative firm as it embarks on human trials to help fight COVID-19 and save lives.”
ATI will receive an $80,000 County MOVE grant and a Rockville City MOVE grant. It also is eligible for Job Creation Tax Credits through Maryland.
“We appreciate ATI’s choice of the City of Rockville for its new home,” said Cindy Rivarde, CEO of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. “The company worked closely with the City during its build-out, and we are thrilled to assist as they join our high-tech community.”
Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) assisted with site selection and introductions to guide the company through permitting and financial programs.
Thrilled to welcome to @Rockville411 & #MoCo Autonomous Therapeutics & look forward to working with them to grow & thrive in Montgomery County! https://t.co/G3n3w9wcMe
— Sidney Katz (@MC_Council_Katz) October 16, 2020
