Shriners Children's announces $153 million medical research facility in Atlanta

In the United States, on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, Shriners Children's, a nonprofit organization that operates Shriners Children's hospitals, revealed plans to establish a new medical research facility in Atlanta, Georgia. This ambitious project, estimated to cost $153 million, aims to advance innovative research in various fields including cell and gene therapies, biotechnology, robotics, artificial intelligence, and medical devices. The Shriners Children's Research Institute is projected to employ around 470 personnel, indicating significant job creation and investment in the local economy. The facility will be located at Science Square, a mixed-use development adjacent to Georgia Tech's campus in downtown Atlanta, where the university has been fostering growth in the technology sector as well as biomedical research. Georgia Tech, known for its collaborations with technology companies, will partner closely with Shriners Children's to enhance discovery and accelerate the development of new treatment modalities. Dr. Marc Lalande, the vice president of research programs at Shriners Children's, expressed optimism about how this collaboration will promote advancements in therapies for children and boost overall research output. To facilitate this establishment, state and local governments are providing various incentives to Shriners Children's, though the specifics of these incentives remain unclear due to the organization's nonprofit status, which generally exempts it from property and income taxes. Understanding that sales taxes apply to nonprofits in Georgia, state authorities may suggest waiving such taxes on equipment purchases necessary for the laboratory. This economic strategy reflects the government's commitment to fostering biomedical research expansion in the region. In addition to service provision, Shriners Children's operations span across 17 hospitals in the U.S., along with facilities in Mexico and Canada. Notably, the organization's patient care model emphasizes accessibility, treating children regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. The new research facility is expected to further strengthen Shriners Children's mission while contributing to Atlanta’s evolving landscape as a hub for medical innovation.