Stoke Therapeutics Bets Big on Waltham with New 98,500 Sq-Ft HQ

WALTHAM, MA – January 27, 2026 – In a significant move that underscores both corporate ambition and the enduring strength of Greater Boston's suburban life sciences market, Stoke Therapeutics has signed a long-term lease for a new 98,500-square-foot headquarters at 245 Fifth Avenue in Waltham. The deal, secured by property owners Anchor Line Partners and Northwood Investors, represents one of the largest new life sciences leases in the region over the past year and signals Stoke's transition from a clinical-stage company to a commercial-ready powerhouse.

Stoke plans to relocate from its current home in Bedford to the state-of-the-art Waltham facility in late 2026, a move timed to support the company's rapid growth and its preparations to launch its first potential medicine. The expansion comes as a vote of confidence in a real estate market that has seen significant moderation, marking a pivotal moment for the biotechnology firm and the Route 128 corridor it will soon call home.

A New Chapter for Stoke and Dravet Syndrome Treatment

Founded in Bedford in 2015, Stoke Therapeutics has been on a dedicated mission to develop novel RNA-based medicines. The company's new headquarters is a direct reflection of its evolution and the promising results from its lead drug candidate, zorevunersen. Discovered and advanced in Bedford, zorevunersen is a potential first-in-class, disease-modifying treatment for Dravet syndrome, a severe and rare form of genetic epilepsy that begins in infancy and causes significant cognitive and behavioral impairments.

The new Waltham site is not merely an expansion of square footage; it is a critical piece of infrastructure needed for the next phase of Stoke's journey. The company is actively preparing to commercialize zorevunersen in the United States, a complex undertaking that requires expanded capabilities in manufacturing process development, quality control, regulatory affairs, and commercial operations. The larger, lab-ready facility is designed to house these growing teams and accelerate the company's mission.

"Stoke is on an important growth trajectory as we prepare to commercialize a first-in-class potential new medicine to treat Dravet syndrome, while also broadening our research efforts to identify more new medicines for severe diseases," said Ian F. Smith, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Stoke Therapeutics. "This new Waltham site will help foster our culture of teamwork and collaboration that is essential to innovation and our work to deliver life-changing medicines for patients."

The company's proprietary TANGO technology platform, which aims to restore normal protein levels by targeting RNA, holds promise for a range of other diseases caused by a partial loss of protein function. The expanded research capacity in Waltham will be crucial for advancing this broader pipeline beyond its initial focus on the central nervous system and the eye.

Waltham Cements Its Role as a Biotech Powerhouse

While Cambridge remains the globally recognized epicenter of biotechnology, its high costs and low vacancy have pushed growing companies to seek strategic alternatives. Waltham and the broader Route 128 corridor have emerged as a formidable and resilient hub, capturing a significant share of the region's life sciences activity. Recent market reports show the Route 128 belt accounting for over 40% of leasing activity, demonstrating its appeal for companies seeking scale, talent, and connectivity outside the urban core.

The Stoke lease serves as a powerful testament to this trend. The property at 245 Fifth Avenue offers immediate access to major highways, including Route 128/I-95 and the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), making it an attractive location for recruiting top talent from across the region. The building's modern infrastructure, including its LEED Gold and WiredScore Platinum certifications, aligns with the forward-looking ethos of the biotech industry.

"While the national life sciences market has moderated, Waltham and the greater Route 128 corridor continue to prove their resilience as they support the biotech industry," stated Andrew Maher, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Anchor Line Partners. "This lease reflects the continued strength of the Greater Boston life sciences market and our commitment to delivering best-in-class environments that meet the evolving needs of innovative companies and their employees."

A Landmark Deal in a Shifting Market

The timing of Stoke's commitment makes it particularly noteworthy. The Greater Boston life sciences real estate market, after years of relentless growth, entered a period of recalibration in 2024 and 2025. A surge in new construction combined with more cautious venture capital funding led to a sharp rise in vacancy rates, which climbed above 25% across the region, creating what many analysts have termed a "tenant's market."

In this environment, many companies have opted for lease renewals or smaller footprints. Stoke's decision to sign a large, long-term lease for new space stands in stark contrast to this cautious sentiment. While dwarfed by Biogen's recent 585,000-square-foot headquarters commitment in Cambridge, the Stoke deal is among the most substantial new suburban leases signed in the past 18 months, rivaling or exceeding recent commitments by other major players like Eli Lilly and Intellia Therapeutics.

This move validates the strategy of developers like Anchor Line Partners, who have invested in creating high-quality, flexible lab spaces in suburban clusters. For Stoke, the market conditions likely provided an opportunity to secure favorable terms on a state-of-the-art facility that will serve its needs for years to come. The transaction, brokered by a Cushman & Wakefield team of Mitch Perez, Connor Barnes, and Michael Weiss representing Stoke, highlights how growth-oriented companies with strong clinical data and a clear path to commercialization can capitalize on current market dynamics to fuel their expansion.

The new headquarters will do more than just accommodate a larger workforce; it is a strategic tool for attracting and retaining top scientific talent in a competitive landscape. By providing an innovative and collaborative environment, Stoke is investing not only in its physical infrastructure but also in the culture and human capital that will drive its future success as it works to bring zorevunersen and other potential new medicines from the laboratory to the patients who need them.