Glaukos hosts groundbreaking for $82M facility for groundbreaking research

HUNTSVILLE — Groundbreaking research in the ophthalmic market is the focus of Glaukos Corp.

The California-based company is a worldwide pharmaceutical and medical technology leader in ophthalmology focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies for the treatment of glaucoma, corneal disorders and retinal diseases.

And now, more groundbreaking will take place – but it will be of red Alabama dirt instead of research.

Glaukos is building a research, development, and manufacturing campus at Huntsville’s  Cummings Research Park.

The facility will be built on 25 acres at the corner of Mark Smith Drive and Explorer Boulevard, at the north end of HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. The agreement includes an option for 15 additional acres for future expansion.

This $82 million investment, which was announced last December, will create 154 full-time jobs in the region by 2030, and the campus will serve as a hub for innovation in ophthalmic medicine. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Thursday.

“In planning our next expansion phase, Glaukos evaluated over 100 municipalities and we are pleased to choose Huntsville,” said Matt Young, senior vice president of operations. “The city of Huntsville has a highly educated and skilled workforce and a stable and diversified economy in a business-friendly environment.

“As a leader in designing and delivering novel ophthalmic products, Glaukos believes a location in the Cummings Research Park aligns with our strong innovation values.”

With Glaukos’ decision to locate adjacent to HudsonAlpha, a world-class research institute leading the way in improving human health, Huntsville and CRP have put a collective stake in the ground for future biotech growth.

“We welcome Glaukos to the HudsonAlpha ecosystem, to Cummings Research Park, to Huntsville and to Alabama,” said HudsonAlpha President Neil Lamb. “We’re excited to have Glaukos in our community and are thankful to have wonderful partners in the city of Huntsville and the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber on this project.”

Glaukos’ site selection team noted the community’s collective science and technology strengths strongly factored in their decision. However, the vitality of Huntsville’s collaborative community environment and robust quality of life put the city over the top.

“Glaukos’ investment in Huntsville speaks to our continued success in being a community of choice for biotech research and manufacturing,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “CRP offers the desired environment for companies that want to capitalize on our assets and achieve long-term success in advancing medical solutions for society.”