A New York City antiviral drug company that’s working on therapeutics for Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses is moving its headquarters to Rockville.
Autonomous Therapeutics Inc. CEO Dr. Ariel Weinberger said Thursday the company is making the move to be closer to agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) — as well as funders. The company signed a lease for 17,700 square feet at 1530 E. Jefferson St., just off Rockville Pike. Terms were not disclosed.
ATI currently employs just 15 people but said it plans to hire more than 50 scientists and engineers within the next three years. It received an $80,000 grant for the move from Montgomery County and will also receive a smaller relocation grant from the city of Rockville. ATI also qualifies for job creation tax credits from the state.
The company said the Montgomery County Economic Development Corp. was involved in site selection and facilitated communications with Rockville planning and permitting officials.
The new site will be the base of the company’s manufacturing and research and development efforts. ATI develops prophylactics to prevent infections by any strain of coronavirus. The company was recently named to a cohort of Blue Knight companies for its work to fill holes in the current lineup of treatments, vaccines and technologies to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Blue Knight is a venture between Johnson & Johnson and BARDA.
The company came through JLABS@NYC, a network of life sciences incubators from Johnson & Johnson.
