Release Details

Cambridge, Mass., October 21, 2014 – Voyager Therapeutics, a gene therapy company developing life-changing treatments for fatal and debilitating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), will today celebrate the opening of its new headquarters with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house. Voyager’s new headquarters, located at 75 Sidney Street in Cambridge, features state-of-the-art research and process development laboratories. 

Local life sciences and government officials will speak at the ribbon cutting ceremony today, including:

• Mark Levin, Partner at Third Rock Ventures and Chairman of Voyager Therapeutics
• Steven Paul, M.D., CEO of Voyager Therapeutics
• Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC)
• Michael Collins, M.D., Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Medical School
• Terry Flotte, M.D., Dean of the University of Massachusetts Medical School 

“This new headquarters signifies an important milestone for Voyager as we continue to position ourselves as a leader in gene therapy,” said Steven Paul, M.D., CEO of Voyager Therapeutics. “Having Voyager’s headquarters located in a geographic region that is strongly supportive of the biotechnology industry and so close to outstanding academic collaborators, including our founders and colleagues at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, will allow us to more effectively drive the development of novel gene therapies for devastating diseases.”

“The opening of Voyager’s new corporate headquarters is an exciting day for Cambridge, for the Commonwealth and for the millions of people around the world who stand to benefit from Voyager’s work,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “This is an example of how playing to our strengths in the life sciences creates good jobs and better health now and for the next generation.”

“We are excited to celebrate the official opening of Voyager’s new headquarters in Cambridge,” said Dr. Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., President & CEO of the MLSC. “This new office and lab space will enable Voyager to accelerate their R&D efforts in discovering, developing and commercializing innovative treatments related to the central nervous system, right here in Massachusetts.  It is exciting to see Voyager’s broad strategic collaboration with the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS), because this collaboration leverages a substantial capital grant to UMMS from the MLSC.”

“Voyager’s founders and UMass Medical School faculty members Philip D. Zamore, Ph.D., and Guangping Gao, Ph.D., exemplify the passion, perseverance and scientific excellence needed to translate discoveries into therapeutics,” said Chancellor Michael F. Collins, MD. “Given our role as the state’s public medical school, we are truly excited to partner with another Massachusetts entity and to contribute our institutional expertise in gene therapy and RNA biology to help Voyager develop life-saving treatments.” 

About Massachusetts Life Sciences Center

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) in an investment agency that supports life sciences innovation, research, development and commercialization. The MLSC is charged with implementing a 10-year, $1-billion, state-funded investment initiative. These investments create jobs and support advances that improve health and well-being. The MLSC offers the nation’s most comprehensive set of incentives and collaborative programs targeted to the life sciences ecosystem. These programs propel the growth that has made Massachusetts the global leader in life sciences. The MLSC creates new models for collaboration and partners with organizations, both public and private, around the world to promote innovation in the life sciences.                                            

About Voyager Therapeutics

Voyager Therapeutics is a gene therapy company developing life-changing treatments for fatal and debilitating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). Voyager is committed to advancing the field of AAV (adeno-associated virus) gene therapy through innovation and investment in vector optimization and engineering, dosing and delivery techniques, as well as process development and production. The company’s initial pipeline is focused on CNS diseases in dire need of effective new therapies, including Parkinson’s disease, a monogenic form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Friedreich’s ataxia. Founded by scientific and clinical leaders in the fields of AAV gene therapy, expressed RNA interference and neuroscience, Voyager Therapeutics was launched in 2014 with funding from leading life sciences investor Third Rock Ventures and is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass. For more information, please visit www.voyagertherapeutics.com.  Follow Voyager on LinkedIn.

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Voyager Media Contact:

Katie Engleman
Pure Communications, Inc.
910-509-3977

MLSC Media Contact:

Angus G. McQuilken
617-921-7749
amcquilken@masslifesciences.com