A nonprofit biotechnology organization opened a new laboratory in Woodbridge on Saturday, which will expand upon researching and developing therapeutics for rare diseases.

News 12 Connecticut’s Tom Krosnowski went to the ribbon-cutting for the Cure Rare Disease new laboratory and spoke with patients and researchers.

Conner Curran, of Ridgefield, is one of the thousands that will benefit from the new lab. His parents said when he was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at 5 years old, their family didn’t know where to turn.

“It was an absolutely heartbreaking diagnosis and it shattered us as a family. We decided to take action and we were so happy to meet Rich and Cure Rare Disease,” said Chris Curran.

“Cure Rare Disease is really working toward helping all patients to not be left behind. It brings me so much hope. And hope for Conner’s future. He has a bright future ahead,” said Jessica Curran.

Rich Horgan founded CRD in memory of his younger brother, Terry, who shared the same diagnosis as Conner Curran.

“Terry at the time, like many patients still today, lacked any sort of accessibility to a therapeutic that could potentially attenuate or reverse the disease,” said Rich Horgan.

His nonprofit now has a home in Woodbridge at a 10,000-square-foot facility. He said the new lab will continue to lead drug development efforts.

“We’ve got all-new lab benches, chemical hoods, tissue culture rooms,” said Rich Horgan.

The facility also has a tribute to families impacted by rare diseases, blending into an image of Terry Horgan.

“This mural, to me, means a lot. It’s heartwarming to be able to memorialize Terry in this lab the way that we did,” said Rich Horgan. “I think it’s a real testament to the organization, which has been built from the cumulative efforts of everyone involved.”

Sen. Richard Blumenthal was also present for the ribbon ceremony.

“I became involved in this cause because of Conner Curran. This picture is worth 1,000 of my words,” said Blumenthal.

For more information on CRD or how to get involved in upcoming events, you can visit the organization’s website.