Zealand Pharma has announced plans to establish a new research hub in Cambridge, Massachusetts, marking a significant expansion of its global footprint and reinforcing its ambitions in metabolic health and obesity research. The facility, which will serve as the company’s primary U.S. address, is expected to become operational in September 2026.
The new hub will be located in the greater Boston area, one of the world’s most prominent life sciences clusters, known for its dense network of biotechnology companies, academic institutions, and research organizations. Cambridge alone hosts more than 600 life sciences companies, making it a strategic destination for organizations seeking access to top-tier talent and cutting-edge innovation.
According to Adam Steensberg, the establishment of the Cambridge hub represents a key milestone in the company’s long-term strategy to become a leader in obesity and metabolic health. He emphasized that the new site will complement Zealand Pharma’s existing research operations in Denmark, strengthening its global capabilities and accelerating scientific discovery.
The facility is designed to enhance the company’s research platform by integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation. These capabilities will support AI-driven drug discovery and next-generation molecule design, enabling researchers to translate scientific insights into innovative therapies more efficiently.
Strategically located at CambridgePark Drive, the site is part of a purpose-built laboratory property owned by Healthpeak Properties. The location will facilitate close collaboration with local biotech partners, academic institutions, and technology innovators, fostering a highly collaborative research environment.
Utpal Singh highlighted the importance of combining Denmark’s strong metabolic research expertise with Cambridge’s advanced multi-modal capabilities. He noted that the new hub will accelerate the company’s ability to move from early-stage ideas to clinical development, ultimately bringing new treatments to patients faster.
In addition to strengthening its core peptide-based research, Zealand Pharma plans to expand into hybrid therapeutic modalities, including antibody-peptide conjugates (APCs) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) technologies. These approaches are expected to support tissue-selective targeting and broaden the scope of the company’s drug development pipeline under its Metabolic Frontier 2030 strategy.
The Cambridge site will include not only state-of-the-art laboratory space but also offices and collaborative work areas designed to support interdisciplinary teams. The company has also begun recruiting talent to build out its U.S. operations.
With nearly three decades of experience in peptide discovery and development, Zealand Pharma’s expansion into Cambridge underscores its commitment to innovation and global growth, positioning the company to play a larger role in addressing the rising burden of metabolic diseases worldwide.