In the News: Novavax Supports Vaccine Development at 700 Quince Orchard
The sun sets at 700 Quince Orchard Road, Novavax’s new Gaithersburg home, as seen on Bisnow.
Novavax is moving into Coakley & Williams Construction’s (CWC) recently completed project, 700 Quince Orchard Road, which means they will be fighting coronavirus right in the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland, in the City of Gaithersburg. In an article by Bisnow they stated, “Novavax, a biotech company that has received $2B in funding for its COVID-19 work, announced Monday it signed a 122K SF lease at 700 Quince Orchard Road in Gaithersburg. The company signed a 15-year lease and plans to occupy the space early next year, using it for offices, manufacturing, and research and development.”
GlobeNewswire quoted Stanley C. Erck, President and CEO of Novavax, “The expansion of our physical footprint reflects Novavax’ significant growth.”
“This project will consist of many new job opportunities in the community,” said CWC Superintendent, Dennis Stevens.
Helping to Build the Cure
CWC recently delivered the project in Fall 2020, among other fundamental life-science projects along the I-270 corridor. Dennis Stevens, Lead Superintendent of the 700 Quince Orchard construction project, said, “It was an accomplishment to get the infrastructure in place on the City of Gaithersburg streets during coronavirus. We did inspections through FaceTime.”
The 700 Quince Orchard life-sciences construction project was awarded LEED Silver status. (Courtesy bio700qo.com)
In Science Magazine they wrote, “[Novavax] has hired more than 300 new employees, and this month it plans to launch a pivotal clinical trial of its coronavirus vaccine in the United States and Mexico. Made by moth cells harnessed to crank out the virus’ spike protein—which the pathogen uses to invade human cells—Novavax’s vaccine outshone major competitors on key measures in early human tests.”
CWC Marketing & Communications Manager, Anai Limber, drove by the construction site regularly. “It’s great to be a part of the amazing life-science work happening right in my backyard, and knowing that the CWC team is building these facilities.”
Staying on Beat
The construction industry has been considered an essential business amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and CWC faced challenges on every active construction project along the way. However, staying focused on solutions was pivotal to the success of milestones reached and delivered projects. In a recent interview of CWC EVP, Lynn Stith Bennett, for Washington Business Journal, they stated, “Those were long days, but they flew by in a blur. Coakley & Williams was part of the team building life science projects, and it was important not to miss a beat.”
In our partners, Rock Creek Property Group and Cushman & Wakefield’s, 700 Quince Orchard Tour Book they highlight several CWC projects, including Kite TCF05 Cell Manufacturing Facility, MedImmune and The Universities at Shady Grove.
In a statement from Stanley C. Erck, President and CEO of Novavax, to GlobeNewswire he said, “We appreciate the support, partnership and speed of the Maryland Department of Commerce, Montgomery County, and the City of Gaithersburg, which have enabled the expansion of our operations, enhanced our ability to retain and attract highly skilled employees, and reinforced our longstanding commitment to the biotechnology sector in Maryland.”