Novocure hailed for 'new ways to cure cancer' in Portsmouth downtown opening

PORTSMOUTH — A who’s who of New Hampshire politicians touted cancer-fighting company Novocure during the company’s grand opening ceremony of their North American f lagship facility in downtown Portsmouth .

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen was joined by Gov. Chris Sununu, Mayor Deaglan McEachern, U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan and U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas during the grand opening celebration and ceremonial ribbon cutting late Tuesday afternoon.

Shaheen congratulated Novocure’s employees during a series of speeches inside a steamy company conference room.

Novocure’s decision to build its North American flagship facility here is “so exciting for the city of Portsmouth and the Seacoast,” Shaheen said, “and for the state of New Hampshire.”

Novocure praised for its work and impact in Seacoast

“It’s not an accident that you see all of these officials here,” Shaheen said. “It’s because Novocure has very deliberately and effectively built relationships with all of us.

“And that bodes well for their future here as we think about the investment they’re going to make in this headquarters and the city of Portsmouth, the investment in the Seacoast region,” Shaheen said.

But, she stated, Novocure’s “most important investment” will be “in finding new ways to cure cancers.

“For all of us who have lost loved ones to one of those horrific cancers, it is so exciting to think there’s going to be new therapies that can make a difference, that can extend lives in ways that we haven’t really anticipated based on current treatment,” Shaheen said. “We are all going to be here to continue to support you as you grow and continue to invest in the Seacoast."

The new state-of-the art facility — which will include a glassed-in rooftop penthouse and pavilion — is located at 64 Vaughan Mall in the heart of downtown.

Novocure’s new flagship facility will provide space for its growing employee base within the greater Portsmouth region, according to company representatives.

Novocure touts its Tumor Treating Fields

The facility will also house a world-class training and development center where partners from around the world “can learn more about Novocure’s innovative, FDA-approved cancer therapy — Tumor Treating Fields,” Novocure officials said.

Novocure’s commercialized products are approved in certain countries for the treatment of adult patients with glioblastoma, malignant pleural mesothelioma and pleural mesothelioma. Novocure has ongoing or completed clinical studies investigating Tumor Treating Fields in brain metastases, gastric cancer, glioblastoma, liver cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and ovarian cancer, according to the company.

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern said “all of us in Portsmouth … are just so incredibly proud of the work that goes on in here.”

“We are incredibly proud that when people are walking up Vaughan Mall, in addition to some fantastic Mexican food right next door, they’re going to be able to see and look at the screens (on Novocure's building) and see the future of what can happen,” McEachern said.

He credited Novocure for bringing their flagship facility to Portsmouth, saying it’s “a testament to your vision and a testament to everybody that’s in this room that made that happen.”

A group of Novocure officials also spoke at Tuesday’s event.

They included Executive Chairman William Doyle, Chief Financial Officer and incoming CEO Ashley Cordova and senior technology fellow Mike Ambrogi.

The company announced Tuesday morning that Cordova was promoted from chief financial officer and will take over as CEO on Jan. 1.

Cordova called Tuesday “a really exciting day” for Novocure, and the company is “just so thrilled to be here.” She stated “today marks an important milestone for us” and explained how Novocure looks to take on “some of the most aggressive forms of cancer.

"This new headquarters is not just a building, it’s a testament … to that mission and to the community of Portsmouth, and to the patients whose lives we work so hard to improve every day,” Cordova said. “We chose Portsmouth not just because of the vibrant community, but because of the shared values."

Sununu, who is serving his last term as governor, thanked Novocure “for making the investment, for growing here.” He stated that when people talk about the New Hampshire advantage, they talk about no sales or income tax.

But “really the difference,” when competing with other states, Sununu said, “is the quality of life.”

“I don’t care how great the product is, if you don’t have the employees it’s not going to work,” he said.

He noted Novocure will have 200 employees in its new Portsmouth office “in the next couple of weeks, which is pretty exciting.”

Novocure is headquartered in Root, Switzerland and has “a growing global footprint,” according to company representatives.

Novocure also has a regional operating center in Tokyo, Japan, as well as a research center in Haifa, Israel.

Novocure announced in December 2021 that it was buying the historic 19th century building at 64 Vaughan Mall, renovating it and constructing an addition. The site was previously home to the Margeson Brothers Furniture Company.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Novocure hailed for 'new ways to cure cancer' in Portsmouth downtown opening