The life science sector continues to grow at an astounding pace. We can see it in our own
backyard. Not only does the city have a tremendous network of software, engineering and fintech companies, it is also home to a number of bio tech and life science laboratories.
We recognize that these “targeted businesses” in fields such as technology and life sciences bring high-level jobs to the city and are especially beneficial to the overall community. It is no secret that the city supports job growth and is proactive when it comes to economic development.
Last month, the governor announced that Intuitive Surgical will spend more than $500 million to expand its operation in Peachtree Corners. The Sunnyvale, Calif.–based robotic surgery systems company has had a presence in Georgia for a decade. The plan is to expand the Peachtree Corners campus to 750,000 square feet of manufacturing and engineering operations, training facilities for surgeons and hospital care teams, and administrative offices. The expansion will take place in phases, with completion in 2024. Intuitive plans to add 1,200 jobs on top of the 180 professionals it already has here.
Another Peachtree Corners company, AKESOgen, grew organically in a short period of time. AKESOgen provides biomarker profiling and genomics services for the research and development market, including biobanking, DNA/RNA extraction, and genetic technologies. During the height of the pandemic, the company was performing 7,000 tests a day, mainly from customer CVS. Founded in 2010, AKESOgen has run genetic technologies labs at Glaxo SmithKline and Emory University and done extensive work with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
In 2019, AKESOgen was acquired by Tempus, a Chicago-based health technology company
advancing precision medicine through the application of artificial intelligence. With the world’s largest libraries of clinical and molecular data, and an operating system to make that data accessible, Tempus assists physicians in making real-time, data-driven decisions regarding patient care.
Pace Analytical, based in Minneapolis, MN, has a laboratory in Technology Park, where
environmental testing is performed, as well as life sciences and other high-quality chemical and microbiology testing. The company also provides staffing and instrument support.
Encompass Pharmaceutical Services is a privately held company with headquarters in Technology Park. It provides state-of-the art analytical services to some of the leading pharmaceutical companies in the world. Encompass has significant development experience in ophthalmic drug development.
I could keep going. In fact, we have a new laboratory that just opened on Oakbrook Parkway in
Peachtree Corners. Oxy-Gen Laboratory provides comprehensive genetic testing and screening
for cardiovascular disease, newborn screening, carrier testing, cancer genomics, respiratory
problems and other diseases. There is Alpha Genomix on Research Court, providing molecular
diagnostics for genetic testing. And PathConLaboratories on Scientific Drive analyzes water. It
provides reliable Legionella testing validation, analysis, and prevention services. We can’t forget Global 7, which does a great deal of COVID-19 testing and performs various other pathogen panels.
You may not have been aware of these companies in the city, where employees are working hard to advance the science behind good human health. We are glad to have them. Since businesses tend to cluster together, there may be more on the horizon. With the office market still slowed by the pandemic, landlords may look to convert buildings into lab space.
Stay safe everyone,
Mike Mason, Mayor
