Sana Biotechnology recently celebrated the opening of its new manufacturing facility in Bothell, Washington, marking a milestone in the company’s efforts to develop drugs to treat complex diseases. The facility, which spans 80,000 square feet, was built to house Sana’s proprietary cancer drug program. Sana, a cell and gene therapy company that was established in 2019 and had a highly successful IPO in 2021, has developed a gene-editing mechanism that helps to prevent a person’s immune system from attacking therapeutic cells. This approach is seen as more scalable and cost-effective compared to existing T-cell therapies. Sana has four drugs in human testing, including treatments for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and type 1 diabetes.
Sana’s diabetes program involves the transformation of stem cells into insulin-producing islet cells. After positive results in primate studies, Sana initiated a human clinical trial earlier this year, with plans to complete the trial by the spring of the following year. The company aims to establish a manufacturing process for the diabetes drug at its Bothell facility once the science is ready to be scaled up. Sana has invested over $500 million in manufacturing sciences and building manufacturing capability, allowing the company to closely monitor quality and have control over hiring personnel. With the presence of the University of Washington’s Bothell campus nearby, as well as other drug manufacturing companies in the area, Sana CEO Steve Harr sees the region as an excellent source of talent.
Despite going public three years ago, Sana’s stock has seen fluctuations, with a 20% increase in value in 2024. The company reported a net loss of $107.5 million in the first quarter of the current year, up from $82.1 million in the same period the previous year. Research and development expenses were lower in the first quarter compared to the year before, with $56.4 million spent. In response to delays in certain projects and as part of a strategic repositioning, Sana underwent layoffs in October, affecting 29% of its workforce. Additional staff reductions were carried out in November of the previous year. As of December 2023, the company had a total of 328 employees.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Sana’s new facility in Bothell was attended by prominent figures including Washington Rep. Suzan DelBene, Bothell Mayor Mason Thompson, and Sana CTO Snehal Patel. The company, which has partnered with Alexandria Real Estate for the building, has already hired around 40 employees at the site and anticipates accommodating hundreds more as its operations expand. Sana’s research has garnered praise, with Rep. Kim Schrier commending the company for its work in the field of type 1 diabetes. Sana has leveraged its gene-editing mechanism to develop a promising treatment that could have a significant impact on patients living with this condition.
In conclusion, Sana Biotechnology’s new manufacturing facility in Bothell, Washington, signifies a significant step forward in the company’s mission to develop cutting-edge treatments for complex diseases. With a focus on cancer, autoimmune diseases, and type 1 diabetes, Sana has made notable progress in its drug development programs. Despite challenges such as stock fluctuations and workforce layoffs, the company remains committed to advancing its research and expanding its operations. With a strong team of employees and state-of-the-art facilities, Sana is poised to make a meaningful impact in the field of cell and gene therapy in the years to come.
