CELINA – A pharmaceutical start-up that’s looking to ID triggers for diseases like cancer, diabetes and Parkinson’s has started its build out in Clay County’s industrial park, and leaders say the company could be up and running by early next year.
Cumberland Biosciences, which announced an agreement to locate in Celina at the same time it publicized its partnership with Boston-based pharmaceutical firm Berg in June, is slightly ahead of schedule constructing its lab inside a spec building located on Highway 52. The firm has reportedly signed a seven-year lease for the space. Cumberland Biosciences will work to identify biomarkers for diseases like those listed above.
County Mayor Dale Reagan said it was a great opportunity for not just Clay but for the Upper Cumberland as well. One of the owners involved, Reagan said, is Mitch Gray, president/CEO of Pathfinder Management, a Nashville-based company that oversees the development of startup companies primarily in the bio-tech industry.
“They are an outstanding group to work with. And they’re just as excited as we are to get started, if that could be possible,” Reagan said. “It’s going to be a good opportunity – not only for our area but for the region – to have a medical pharmaceutical-type business creating the antibodies that hopefully will be a treatment for a dreaded disease that’s affected us all. It’s overwhelming to know we’re going to hopefully be a part of a drug that could help with the treatment of cancer.”
Cumberland Biosciences expects to hire 20-25 people. Hiring could start as soon as January.
