One of the leading biotechnology and diagnostics companies in the field of neglected viral diseases with pandemic potential now calls a prime biotechnology and life sciences community its home, as Zalgen Labs LLC today announced its headquarters has relocated from Germantown to Frederick, Maryland.
“We found that Frederick County was aggressively pursuing the recruitment of biotech companies to the county and specifically to Frederick City,” Branco told Biz Journals. “Zalgen wanted to move further north from its Germantown location all along given that some employees had long and arduous drives from points north.”
Preparedness is Zalgen’s mantra. Founded on the concept of developing solutions to emerging viral threats in neglected regions of the world, Zalgen is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in developing and deploying medical countermeasures against neglected tropical diseases. The company is currently supplying antibody testing kits to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) for the largest ever Lassa Fever study in West Africa.
Frederick, Maryland is situated within the third largest biotech cluster in the U.S. and is home to nearly 80 bioscience companies that benefit from a supportive and highly collaborative environment. It’s also the home of the Maryland Tech Council, of which Zalgen is a member. Zalgen will now become part of that hub of innovation with its new headquarters.
“As we’ve seen over the past two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, sharing information and ideas is critical to advancing the knowledge and tools necessary to improve public health,” said Zalgen Managing Director and Co-Founder Luis Branco. “We are thrilled to join the synergetic community in Frederick where we can learn from our peers, contribute our expertise, and work toward a world where celebrations with survivors of diseases like Ebola and Lassa are the norm, rather than just the fortunate few who survive.”
Zalgen also has an advanced diagnostics development office in Aurora, Colorado, which focuses on advancing field-deployable and laboratory-based tests to improve diagnostic and surveillance capabilities of neglected tropical diseases. The Frederick office will continue to focus on Zalgen’s Immunotherapeutics activities.
Since its inception, Zalgen and its academic, government, biotechnology industry and healthcare provider partners have made significant strides to enhance scientific research and improve patient care for Ebola, Lassa and other highly fatal hemorrhagic viral diseases in resource-limited areas of the world.
Zalgen’s goal is to develop and make available the best, most widely trusted and effective diagnostics, vaccines and immunotherapeutics to make a meaningful difference against endemic and epidemic diseases.
Beginning on Friday, December 3 at 7AM, Maryland State Highway Administration contractors will implement long-term continuous lane closures on Northbound US-15 in Thurmont, Frederick County.
Crews will be replacing the bridge deck (concrete driving surface) on Northbound US-15 above MD 77 (West Main Street) and Hunting Creek. Northbound US-15 will be reduced to a single lane for six to eight months during both phases of this two-phase bridge rehabilitation. Southbound US-15 will not be affected by this project.
“This project is another example of [the State Highway Administration’s] commitment to infrastructure improvements and safety,” Maryland State Highway Administrator Tim Smith said in a written release. “Rehabilitation of the aging bridge will result in a smoother driving surface for motorists and reduce the need for costly future maintenance.”
The Northbound US-15 bridge was built in 1957 and though it is still safe, it is nearing the end of its useful service life. In addition to the bridge deck replacement, crews will also be repairing and strengthening the steel beams and concrete bridge piers underneath the bridge deck.
Bicycle traffic on Northbound US 15 will be detoured via Thurmont Boulevard, MD-806 (Frederick
Road), Water Street and MD-77.
Maryland State Highway Administration photo of Northbound US-15 above MD 77 (West Main Street) and Hunting Creek.
