Wugen, a pharmaceutical research and development firm specializing in cancer treatment, will expand in St. Louis, Missouri. The project is expected to create 40 new jobs.

The company, part of the Cortex Innovation Community, will advance the development of next-generation cancer therapies and grow its workforce.

“We are excited to stay within the Cortex Innovation Community,” said Dan Kemp, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Wugen. “We are proud to be part of St. Louis’ vibrant biotech community and are pleased to continue to grow locally, where we will have the opportunity to maintain proximity to our world-class scientific co-founders at Washington University and build on our existing partnerships with the area’s premier scientific institutions. Our new space will give us more room to grow, accelerating our mission of delivering best-in-class, off-the-shelf cell therapies to cancer patients.”

For its expansion, Wugen used the Missouri Works program, a tool that helps companies expand and retain workers by providing access to capital through withholdings or tax credits for job creation.

“We’re proud to see cutting-edge companies like Wugen starting up and succeeding right here in our state,” said Governor Mike Parson. “The Cortex Innovation Community in St. Louis demonstrates the strength of the region’s growing high-tech sector and continues to support innovation while helping create high-paying jobs for Missourians. Wugen is another example of a Missouri-made company improving the lives of people right here at home and around the globe, and we’re eager to see its continued growth.”

Wugen, which has raised more than $200 million dollars to advance its pipeline of off-the-shelf cell therapies, is focused on providing novel immunotherapies for cancer patients.

“Wugen’s expansion is an exciting opportunity for the Cortex Innovation Community and the entire St. Louis region’s growing biotechnology sector,” Department of Economic Development Acting Director Maggie Kost said. “Missouri’s pro-growth business climate and the work of valued partners continue to benefit our state’s economy. We’re pleased to see Wugen succeeding and excited to see the strides it will make in this groundbreaking field.”