San Diego-based contract research organization (CRO) Crown Bioscience is establishing a new cancer research model development center in Kannapolis, N.C.
The global life sciences firm, a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan-based JSR Corporation, said it plans to have its 2,300-square-foot site at the North Carolina Research Campus fully operational in October 2025. Besides its California headquarters, Crown also has another United States facility in Frederick, Maryland.
The company said in a statement that the five-person Kannapolis team, led by Executive Director, Site Manager and Global Veterinary Advisor Keefe Chng, Ph.D., will conduct cancer research, study management, and laboratory operations, “creating new opportunities for local talent and attracting scientific expertise to the region.
Beyond strengthening Crown Bioscience’s U.S. footprint, the facility will contribute to the local economy through job creation, training initiatives, and long-term community investment.” Diane Begemann, Ph.D., joined the Crown team in North Carolina in July 2025 as associate director of scientific operations.
Crown said it was making a “significant” investment in the new Greater Charlotte-area facility but declined to disclose specific numbers. It said employment there is expected to increase, “based on the business need.”
“Kannapolis is more than just an additional facility; it’s a catalyst for how we serve the next generation of oncology research,” said Crown Bioscience CEO John Gu in the statement. “Its location and capabilities allow us to accelerate project timelines, foster closer scientific collaboration, and offer more advanced models and solutions to our clients.”
Crown said the facility will deliver an array of advanced preclinical oncology tools to life sciences clients, such as patient-derived xenografts (PDX), PDX “warm” models, PDX-derived organoids (PDXO) and patient-derived organoids (PDO).
The company can create PDX models for cancer research by inserting tissue from animals, like pigs and cows, into human tumor cells. The resulting cells can then be implanted into mice that have been genetically engineered to have a compromised immune system.
To produce PDX “warm” models, tumor tissue that has been surgically removed from a cancer patient is implanted into an immunodeficient lab mouse. That implanted human tumor grows within the mouse, preserving the original tumor's complex genomic and histological characteristics.
Researchers can use the resulting models for testing various potential cancer treatments to identify the best ones to target a specific tumor's genetic makeup. It’s a form of personalized medicine.
Organoids are lab-grown three-dimensional structures that mimic the structure and function of human organs. They are generated from stem cells or progenitor cells, which are capable of self-renewal and differentiation into various cell types.
Crown said shifting regulatory frameworks and evolving precision-medicine technologies are increasing the demand for these kinds of innovative, scalable, translatable, and ethically aligned drug-development models. The company said it is poised to play a leading role in its development and deployment.
“We very much look forward to an ongoing partnership with Crown Bioscience, a major addition to North Carolina’s world-leading CRO industry,” said Corie Curtis, executive director of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center’s Greater Charlotte Region. “Of the 4,800-plus open clinical trials across the state, over 1,100 of them are being conducted by Charlotte-based Advocate Health, a leading multi-state academic health organization. Crown’s advanced technologies fit perfectly in this CRO community of North Carolina, the birthplace of this industry.”