Workforce, Innovation and Hope: Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel Visits Forge
Forge welcomed Lt. Governor Jim Tressel to our Columbus headquarters as part of the state’s new WorkOhio initiative: a workforce-focused effort designed to connect Ohioans with career opportunities across the state and spotlight the companies, people and industries driving Ohio’s future.
The visit brought together leaders across Forge to share not only the science behind gene therapy manufacturing, but also the stories of the people building careers in biomanufacturing right here in Ohio.
From scientists to facilities and engineering professionals, Lt. Governor Tressel met team members from a range of educational and professional backgrounds who are helping Forge advance our important mission: enabling access to life-changing gene therapies by helping bring them from concept into reality.
Building the Future of Biomanufacturing in Ohio
As one of the world's leading AAV gene therapy manufacturers, Forge represents the growing strength of Ohio's life sciences ecosystem and the state's position as a competitive hub for next-generation industries like biomanufacturing.
During the visit, Forge leaders shared how Ohio has become a strategic advantage for biomanufacturing growth. The state offers a unique combination of scientific talent, operational affordability, and quality of life for employees that allows companies like Forge to scale advanced manufacturing operations while investing deeply in people and innovation.
A Mission with Real Patient Impact
Throughout the tour, employees discussed the critical role manufacturing plays in bringing gene therapies from scientific discovery to the patients who need them.
Many genetic diseases targeted by gene therapies currently have little to no treatment options. Bringing gene therapies to patients depends on close collaboration between therapy developers and their manufacturers. Gene therapy developers design and optimize novel therapies, while manufacturers develop robust manufacturing processes, analytical methods and scalable production needed to deliver those therapies to patients.
In the R&D lab, the Forge team highlighted how manufacturing innovation, such as improved technologies used in the manufacturing process, can improve efficiency and ultimately help deliver more doses per manufacturing run for our clients and their patients. In process development, team members shared how they work alongside biotechnology companies to develop the manufacturing processes needed to scale AAV gene therapies from early development into manufacturable reality.
The visit also highlighted the highly specialized infrastructure required to support gene therapy manufacturing operations, from in-house quality control laboratories, expertly designed mechanical spaces and resilient supply chain systems to the cleanroom manufacturing suites where therapies are produced under rigorous cGMP standards for clinical trials and commercial use.
Workforce Development at the Center
A key focus of the WorkOhio initiative is understanding how companies are creating meaningful career pathways for Ohioans. During the visit, Lt. Governor Tressel met employees whose careers reflect the diversity of backgrounds entering the biotechnology workforce today.
Team members shared stories ranging from traditional scientific education and training to nontraditional career pathways supported through workforce development programs, biotech bootcamps, and community college partnerships.
Forge currently employs more than 450 team members across manufacturing operations, quality, technical development, commercial operations, and business administration. The company’s workforce strategy emphasizes long-term career growth through specialized training, internal development programs, tuition reimbursement, leadership training, and technical upskilling opportunities.
Many roles at Forge offer entry points into the biotechnology industry that can evolve into long-term careers. Employees may begin in foundational manufacturing support functions and continue advancing into specialized, technical, or leadership roles through hands-on experience and training.
Advancing Hope Through Manufacturing
The visit concluded with discussions along Forge’s “Main Street” corridor and a final photo in front of the company’s HOPE installation, a fitting reminder of the purpose behind the work happening every day inside the facility.
Forge is proud to be part of Ohio’s growing life sciences community and grateful for the opportunity to showcase the talented people helping build the future of biomanufacturing in the state.
By investing in innovation, workforce development and advanced biomanufacturing infrastructure, Ohio is proving it can not just compete, but lead in industries shaping the future of medicine.
