Last Thursday, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek made her way through the sprawling facility of Genentech’s Hillsboro Innovative Therapies (HIT) where she was met with a showcase of scientific progress and local talent development. According to the Oregon government's official newsroom, Kotek, alongside Genentech CEO Ashley Magargee, delved into the site responsible for tailoring cell and gene therapies aimed at combatting grave illnesses.
The HIT facility, a bustling hub of innovation, spreads out over three levels and commits to thoroughly not just advancing but also personalizing medical treatments. This complex is a place of employment for 190 full-time staff members, each engaged in pushing boundaries within the healthcare sector. After the tour, Governor Kotek conveyed her impressions. "I am grateful to the Genentech team for showing me their Hillsboro facility and talking about their work. What I saw was innovation, passion, and community-mindedness," Kotek told the newsroom. She praised the company's contribution to the local economy and future job prospects.
During her visit, Kotek engaged in discussions about professional development and collaborations with educational institutions. Genentech has launched partnerships with entities such as Hillsboro High School and Portland Community College as part of their HIT Workforce Strategy. One employee's story stood out, an individual who developed pipetting techniques at the young age of fourteen through a Genentech bioscience program with Hillsboro High, as per the details from their meeting.
The Governor's tour also included interactions with the various Oregonians who are instrumental in the creation of these pioneering technologies. Genentech's commitment to fostering local skills was highlighted by their support for recruiting events at nearby universities and colleges. "Our Hillsboro Innovative Therapies Facility is a clear example of how our investment in advanced manufacturing, local talent, and cutting-edge science can come together to deliver meaningful treatments to patients,” Magargee said, articulating the company’s ethos to the Oregon newsroom. The excitement for what the future holds for Oregon's life sciences landscape resonated throughout the event.
