A Landmark 2024 Positions Life Science Sector for Growth in Frederick, Maryland

Of Monarchs or Men?

There is no direct answer as to who Frederick, Maryland is named after; some speculate it to be the last Lord Baltimore, Frederick Calvert, or the Prince of Wales, Frederick Louis.

I, on the other hand, find an animate joy in believing this profound and historical city and county to be named – regardless of the fact that he was born after its inception – after a prolific man of substance, liberation, freedom, and innovation: Frederick Douglass. While he may not be a major contributor to Frederick’s modern life science community’s presence and history, Douglass’ contribution to American history as a whole made the diversity of Maryland’s scientific expansion possible by fighting for those whose footsteps were, ultimately, prohibited in other, less accepting, places of the country. It also doesn’t hurt to know that he gave an address – a speech titled “Self-Made Men”, exploring how people can rise seemingly from nowhere yet go on to greatness – at Frederick’s former City Hall and Opera House that is now the Brewer’s Alley Restaurant. Let us hope they put such a historic venue to good taste.

His civil rights and abolitionist activism are relevant to the historical battlegrounds that took place during the Civil War era in Frederick. The Battle of Monocacy and the South Mountain Battle, two major Civil War battles, led to an aftermath that housed several vitally important military hospitals and the historic Monocacy National and South Mountain State Parks. As one would guess, these hospitals evolved the region into a beating heart of a biomedical life science community that continues to thrive in modern-day Frederick City and County. 

Spreading Its Life Science Roots Globally

With the ironically unstable theology that is war comes the ultimate cyclical inclusion of innovation through violence, and violence begets a never-ending need for care that birthed a historical reference in the 19th century tactics of medicine through the physical embodiment of structure and the omen of history: The National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Medicine has been a supercharging force for Frederick’s sustainability, housing some major biotechnology and biomedical companies like AstraZeneca Biologics Manufacturing Center; Battelle National Biodefense Institute, LLC; Cartesian Therapeutics; DCM BioServices; Grifols Biomat; Leidos Biomedical Research Inc.; Lonza; McBee Moore & Vanik IP, LLC; and Medigen, Inc. – just to name a few.

“Frederick continues its strong growth trajectory in biotech with the attraction of new life sciences and technology ventures and the expansion of existing companies such as Astra Zeneca, Precision for Medicine and BioFactura.  This past year, we have also witnessed the launch of Frederick Innovative Technology Center Inc. (FITCI)’s new state-of-the-art incubator/accelerator program, and its clients are really blossoming through affiliation with that program.  Additionally, Frederick is attracting global attention through Maryland’s Soft-Landing Program which provides opportunities for international companies to launch operations in the USA through its dedicated streamlined program at FITCI,” stated Mary Ford-Naill, Manager of Economic Development, The City of Frederick

Frederick’s recent emergence as the Premier Soft Landing Destination for Science and Tech Companies eyeing the U.S. market has created a stark attraction for both Frederick and the BioHealth Capital Region. The international life sciences community has slowly begun incorporating itself within the sector, such as Germany’s OMAPiX partnering with Frederick’s I-270 Labs to house their first American institution, as well as Irish-based ProNav Clinical who opened their US operations at FITCI.

In other international business news, ScienceWerx announced their first international expansion with a new MENA Region chapter and $100M pre-seed Fund for R&D which is designed to foster more international commercialization collaborations between the US and Saudi Arabia.

Expansions and Growth

"This has been an extraordinary year for life sciences in Frederick County, defined by milestones that highlight our community's innovation, collaboration, and progress," said Solash Aviles, Senior Business Development Manager, Life Science & Technology, Frederick County Office of Economic Development. "From transformative business expansions and groundbreaking advancements in the field to the grand opening of the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. (FITCI) expansion and the launch of the Life Sciences Roadmap, we are building a strong foundation for this vital industry. Frederick County continues to lead the way in driving excellence and shaping the future of our economy."

There’s so much to explore this past year and a half, so let’s go down this whimsical rabbit hole of the evolution of Frederick City & County:

• The life sciences is our main star for Frederick, from biomedical companies to incubators to self-made persons, the sector provides massive opportunities for all:

• Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. (FITCI) had their grand opening and expansion.

• The launch of Frederick’s Life Science Roadmap, paving the road to the years of expansion planned ahead.

• They also announced their Green Infrastructure Plan to Drive Sustainability and Resilience.

• Six Frederick life science companies have been on an impressive growth trajectory: Precision for Medicine; BioFactura; Tonix Pharmaceuticals; Medigen; Srisai Biopharmaceutical Solutions, LLC; and Phycin, Inc..

• This also includes the expansions of Precision for Medicine, BioFactura, and Cartesian Therapeutics into Frederick, pivoting an even farther growth for the years to come.

• Theradaptive also had major expansion in Frederick with a ribbon cutting of their brand new cGMP facility this past September.

A Foundation of Federal Research

"Having globally renowned research organizations such as the National Cancer Institute and the Frederick National Laboratory based right here within city limits as well as Fort Detrick remains a tremendous asset to the Frederick community by providing opportunities for technology transfer and commercialization,” furthered Mary Ford-Naill, Manager of Economic Development, The City of Frederick.  

With such prime location and proximity to so many federal research labs, Frederick has become a destination for Federal tech transfer. This year TEDCO and FITCI announced the Federal Lab Leveraging Innovation to Products (FLLIP) Pilot Program, a collaborative effort between to develop strategies that will better connect small businesses with federal labs, particularly focusing on Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual (SEDI) businesses in Maryland. 

A Tale of Life and Science

Frederick City & County continue to evolve with their constant advancements in the sciences and a premier destination for great living.

• Let’s not forget the history and demographic that comes with this populating place:

• Two thirds of the U.S. population is within a day’s drive of Frederick, providing convenient access to major markets on the eastern seaboard.

• The City of Frederick continues to rank on national lists, including Top 10 Best Downtowns by livability.com for Downtown Frederick’s 50 block historic district that is bustling with world-class restaurants, shops, and historic sites.

• Frederick County had the most significant population increase in Maryland; occurring between July 2020 & 2023, and according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Vintage 2023 estimates, Frederick County’s population grew from 272, 786 in 2020 to 293,391 in 2023.

• Frederick has a massive railroad and canal heritage, featuring diverse architecture through the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad and Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal’s rich Civil War history.

• Home to the Monocacy Nation and South Mountain State Parks.

• The National Museum of Civil War Medicine is a landmark for both the evolution of medicine and the grueling history of medicinal healing during the Civil War.

• It’s also the home of the forgotten heroine Barbara Fritchie, whose historical relevance was brought to existence by poet John Whittier’s poem with her namesake.

It’s no surprise that Frederick’s success would not exist without the people in it. People create a thriving society; forget your monarchs, your kings, those fat with power, it is the folk who value and love the city and county they live in that understand the value of community. Frederick is a home rich in history, culture, people, and science. Without any of these things, we’d be like the simpletons from fiction or Florida!