Glaukos Chooses Huntsville for New Facility
Huntsville, Alabama, is set to welcome a major new player in the ophthalmic pharmaceutical and medical technology sector. Glaukos Corporation, a global leader in the field, has announced plans to build a multimillion-dollar research, development, and manufacturing facility within Cummings Research Park (CRP).
The City of Huntsville approved a development agreement, paving the way for the project, which represents an $82 million capital investment and will create 154 full-time jobs in the region by 2030. The facility is slated for a 25-acre site at the intersection of Mark Smith Drive and Explorer Boulevard. The agreement includes an option for an additional 15 acres for future expansion.
Glaukos specializes in groundbreaking therapies for a range of eye conditions, including glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal diseases. Their mission is to transform vision care by pioneering novel, dropless platforms that can significantly improve patient outcomes.
The company’s headquarters are located in Aliso Viejo, California, with additional locations across the United States and internationally.
“In planning our next expansion phase, Glaukos evaluated over 100 municipalities and we are pleased to choose Huntsville,” stated Matt Young, SVP Operations, Glaukos. “The City of Huntsville has a highly educated and skilled workforce and a stable and diversified economy in a business-friendly environment. Huntsville has recently and consistently ranked highly in surveys of the best places to live in the U.S. 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.”
Huntsville’s Growing Biotech Sector
Glaukos’s decision further strengthens Huntsville’s leadership in biotechnology. The city has actively cultivated its biotech sector for nearly two decades, capitalizing on existing strengths in related fields. The proximity to HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, a world-class research institute dedicated to improving human health, was a key factor in the decision.
The Glaukos site selection team emphasized that the community’s collective science and technology strengths were significant. However, they also cited Huntsville’s collaborative environment and high quality of life as crucial advantages.
Mayor Tommy Battle commented, “Glaukos’ investment in Huntsville speaks to our continued success in being a community of choice for biotech research and manufacturing. 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.”
Madison County Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon added, “It is because of the strong partnerships among the City, County, CRP, HudsonAlpha, and the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber that encourage companies such as Glaukos to locate here and thrive in our community.”
Neil Lamb, President of HudsonAlpha, said, “We welcome Glaukos to the HudsonAlpha ecosystem, to Cummings Research Park, to Huntsville and to Alabama. 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.”
Cummings Research Park: A Hub for Innovation
Cummings Research Park, the second-largest research park in the United States and fourth largest in the world, provides a dynamic environment for Glaukos. With over 300 companies and 25,000 employees, CRP is a hub for innovation and collaboration. Site preparation for Glaukos’ facility is expected to begin next year.
Erin Koshut, CRP’s Executive Director, noted, “CRP is truly one of the world’s leading science and technology parks, where companies come to be successful because of the businesses, collaboration, and ultimately, because we thrive in Huntsville. We welcome Glaukos as they join Huntsville’s mix of local and international high-tech enterprises.”
