AVROBIO, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing transformative, life-changing gene therapies targeting rare diseases and cancer, has been awarded lab space at Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) newest JLABS facility in Toronto, Ontario. AVROBIO, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with researchers in Toronto, will join other early stage companies in the 40,000 square foot facility opening this spring.

“It’s an honor to be selected from a talented pool of companies and to co-locate amongst top scientists within innovative, emerging companies,” said Geoff MacKay, president and chief executive officer of AVROBIO.

JLABS incubator space was launched by J&J Innovation in collaboration with the Ontario Government, University of Toronto and MaRS Discovery District (MaRS). The newest facility in Toronto joins J&J’s existing centers of JLABS located in Boston, San Diego, San Francisco, and Houston.

JLABS provides early-stage companies with access to core research facilities hosting specialized capital equipment. The final step in the month long process which began with 64 applicants culminated in a presentation to worldwide senior J&J leadership members, Ontario government officials and the media.