Human Genome Sciences

Human Genome Sciences Inc. (HGSI) was established in 1992 to fund discoveries made by The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR), the nonprofit genomics center founded by J. Craig Venter, which pioneered large-scale genomics and sequenced the first genomes. Human Genome Sciences sold gene database data to large pharmaceutical companies. HGSI was based in based in Rockville, Maryland, USA. Venter raised money from venture capitalists on the condition that data from the nonprofit TIGR was shared with the for-profit company HGSI before he published it. The relationship between the two entities ended in 1997.

In 2011, HGSI was known for developing and receiving FDA approval for the lupus drug Benlysta, the first lupus drug approved on half a century. HGSI’s two other drugs in late stage research were the heart drug darapladib and the type 2 diabetes drug albiglutide. The company’s CEO, Tom Watkins was asked to chair biotech trade group, BIO. GlaoSmithKline, HGSI’s developing and marketing partner on Benlysta acquired the biotech company in 2012 for $3 billion. According to BioMed Realty Trust, Glaxo inherited a lease that runs through 2026. Two campuses were taken over in the deal, the Belward Campus Drive facility and the former headquarters of Traville campus. In 2014 it was reported that much of the Traville campus was unused since the acquisition and the Belward Campus facility was in operation as a “primary supply manufacturing” site for GSK.