The oral health research institute expects to double in size over the next 5 years, bringing new jobs to MA in life and data sciences
Media Contact
Jill Sirko, jsirko@forsyth.org
Cambridge, Mass., 3/13/2024 – The ADA Forsyth Institute (AFI), a global leader in oral health research and innovation, announced today that it will relocate to Somerville, MA in January 2025. The institute, which has operated in Kendall Square, Cambridge for the past 15 years, recently signed a 15-year lease for 76,000 square-feet in the LEED Platinum-certified Life Sciences building at 100 Chestnut St. in Somerville.
“With our commitment to accelerating the pace of oral health discovery and innovation, it was important that we relocate to a facility that could support our work,” said Wenyuan Shi, PhD, chief executive officer at AFI. “This building exceeds our expectations, with state-of-the-art labs designed by Gensler, which is currently ranked the number one science and technology architecture firm in the world. We are positioned well for significant, sustainable growth in the coming years.”
The announcement follows the recent formation of AFI, which combined the Forsyth Institute in Cambridge, MA and the American Dental Association Science and Research Institute (ADASRI), with research facilities located in Chicago and Maryland. “We look forward to welcoming our ADASRI colleagues from Chicago, Maryland, and NIST to our new facilities, and tackle the most intriguing challenges in oral health research together,” says Ben Wu, DDS, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Operating Officer of ADA Forsyth, who oversees the design and planning of this major project.
“The formation of AFI and the relocation of its facilities to Somerville mark a transformative new chapter for oral health research and technology,” said Raymond Cohlmia, DDS, chair of the AFI Board of Directors and executive director of ADA. “We are excited about the great discoveries yet to come out of ADA Forsyth—discoveries that will empower the dental community, improve public health, and define this new era in dentistry.”
The ADA Forsyth Institute is gearing up for a substantial expansion, intending to double its research capacity within the next five years. This strategic initiative includes the augmentation of its already world-class research infrastructure and the recruitment of top-tier talent in the fields of life and data sciences to Massachusetts. The chosen location, one of the 138 Opportunity Zones in the State of Massachusetts, is deemed ideal for facilitating the institute’s growth and contributing to the development of the local community.
“Congratulations to the AFI team on their exciting new chapter in Somerville,” said Jeanne LeClair, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center acting chief executive officer and vice president of Economic Development and Partnerships. “Their growing footprint in Massachusetts is a huge win for our ecosystem. It is partners like AFI who are driving innovation with global impact that continue to make Massachusetts the global leader in the life sciences and related fields.”
Nestled in the vibrant Brickbottom district, the facility is a pivotal component of Somerville development initiatives: “Both our Brickbottom community and ADA Forsyth have a storied history of creativity and innovation. So, I have no doubt that the neighborhood’s energy and passion for new ideas will help inspire ADA Forsyth’s teams as they continue to reimagine oral healthcare,” said Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. “On behalf of the city, I want to extend a very warm welcome to all of the staff, and I look forward to meeting you as you explore our fantastic small businesses, the community path, and our vibrant city.”
100 Chestnut offers direct access to the MBTA green line, and convenient parking for patients at Forsyth Faculty Associates dental practice.
“We’re thrilled to welcome ADA Forsyth Institute to 100 Chestnut in Somerville. As a real estate investment and development company dedicated to partnering with companies that are shaping the life science and innovation economy, we are committed to providing state-of-the-art facilities to organizations at the forefront of discovery and improving human health,” stated Jeff Leerink, Managing Partner at North River Leerink (NRL). “Our mission is to partner with organizations like AFI to create exceptional environments for groundbreaking research and development. The City of Somerville and the Brickbottom district are very fortunate to have an organization of AFI’s caliber join the neighborhood.”
Image courtesy of North River Leerink.
