‘Animal-Free’ Leather Company Moving To Former Roche Site

NUTLEY, NJ — A biotech company that produces “animal-free leather” from living cells is planning to move its headquarters from Brooklyn to the former Hoffman-La Roche site in North Jersey.

Modern Meadow, which uses science to biofabricate leather materials similar in feel and appearance to the real thing, will receive up to $32 million in Grow NJ tax credits for relocating its office to the former Roche site, which is located in the towns of Nutley and Clifton.

The company has acquired $53.5 million in funding and plans to add 200 employees by 2020, spokespeople announced this week.

“We are excited to be part of the growing New Jersey biotech community," CEO Andras Forgacs said. "With this move, Modern Meadow is committed to expanding its biofabrication platform and continuing to build next-generation materials for the consumers of the future. We are thrilled to be in close proximity to a scientific talent pool and look forward to growing with Nutley.”

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Modern Meadow will join Hackensack University Health Network and Seton Hall University at the 116-acre, former home of the Roche pharmaceutical corporation.

• See related article: Former Roche Site Sold: Bloomfield Developer Buys Nutley, Clifton Property

While in operation, Roche paid more than $9 million a year in property taxes to Nutley and received millions in tax abatements in the four years before they announced they would shut down operations.

An estimated 1,000 workers were laid off when the company ceased operations in December of 2013.

• See related article: Roche Employees Devastated by News of Closure

In 2015, The Hackensack University Health Network and Seton Hall University announced that the two organizations finalized an agreement to create a new, four-year school of medicine at the site.

The partnership will establish the only private Catholic school of medicine currently in the state.

• See related article: Seton Hall and Hospital Plan to Build Medical School in Nutley
• See related article: Nutley Mayor Reflects On Ex-Roche Site’s Transformation

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