Cancer-testing company KIYATEC will be taking over the former Chartpsan location at 2 N. Main Street, at the corner of Main and Washington Streets in downtown Greenville.
The move positions the growing company, which specializes in proprietary cancer-testing technology originally spun out of Clemson University, as the first anchor tenant in downtown’s new Innovation District.
KIYATEC’s technology uses living cancer cells from surgical or biopsy tissue to create a replica tumor outside of the body, one that is unique to the patient. This ex vivo 3d cell culture technology — “ex vivo” meaning “out of the body” — allows for testing of different therapies and treatments without risking the patient’s health.
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KIYATEC CEO Matt Gevaert said the move to downtown Greenville will support the company’s plans to more than triple its workforce in Greenville County in the near future, from 20 jobs to 91, while investing more than $5 million.
“Securing the capacity required to bring our testing to tens of thousands of cancer patients is a business decision that positions us to win and increases our competitive advantage,” Gevaert said. “I see both KIYATEC and Greenville as innovators — we are transforming cancer care and the city is thoughtfully curating one of America’s most vibrant downtown ecosystems, making this initiative a formula for success.”
The company recently lunched its first commercial product, 3D Predict Glioma, which tests for ovarian, breast, rare tumors and lung cancers.
The product is the fruition of more than 15 years of research.
“We are proud to be a part of the growing business and scientific communities here in Greenville and appreciate the ongoing support from our community leaders in this exciting new phase of our company’s journey,” Gevaert said.
