Biotechnology is widely expected to be a major source of growth in the 21st century. According to a recent study conducted by the New York City Investment Fund, demand for appropriate commercial facilities is projected to grow between 850,000 to 1.7 million square feet over five years. These facilities must be available to companies at competitive rents and accommodate them as they expand from start-up to manufacturing.
To address this need SUNY Downstate Medical Center, together with the Borough of Brooklyn, is organizing the borough into a center for biotechnology. As part of this initiative, Downstate Medical Center and the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation have formed the Brooklyn Biotechnology Consortium.
Consortium members include:
- SUNY Downstate Medical Center
- The Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation
- Brooklyn Borough President’s Office
- Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
- Brooklyn Empire Zones
- New York City Economic Development Corporation
- Empire State Development Corporation
- New York Biotechnology Association
- Pfizer
- Con Edison
- KeySpan
The goal of the organization is to provide affordable space, incentives and services for start-up, mid-stage, late-stage and manufacturing biotechnology companies.
Recognizing the need for affordable laboratory space for the commercialization of discoveries made in the life sciences and related technology industries, Downstate developed a comprehensive approach to building a site for biotechnology.
To implement this plan, Downstate acquired underutilized or vacant manufacturing buildings to construct biotechnology and medical-related facilities. In 2001, we constructed of a 13,000 square foot biotech lab, a state-of-the-art commercial synthetic chemistry facility that is currently available for lease.
In addition, Downstate is constructing a 50,000 square foot Biotechnology Incubator to meet the needs of start-up and early-stage biotechnology companies. At full occupancy, the incubator will accommodate up to 30 companies and employ approximately 200 people. Phase 1 (11,000 sq. ft.) and Phase 2 (13,000 sq. ft.) are complete, and Phase 3 (26,000 sq. ft.) will begin in 2008.
Finally, Downstate is working with New York City and New York State to develop a site for biotech expansion and manufacturing in the Brooklyn Army Terminal.
To help the biotech companies succeed, Downstate is providing access to an array of services, including:
- academic-based resources (scientists, scientific library, animal and research core facilities, etc.)
- experts in the areas of business planning, human resources, regulatory issues as well as accounting, tax and legal services
- venture capitalists
This endeavor will begin a new high technology industry in Brooklyn and will attract many supporting businesses. To expand our labor force, Downstate, together with Hunter College of CUNY and the Workforce Strategy Center, has developed a model training program in biotechnology for graduate and college students. In addition, a special program for high school teachers will be implemented to introduce biotechnology to high school students. Using Downstate Medical Center as an economic engine will help New York develop as a biotechnology center, foster a new educated labor force and create, over time, high-quality jobs to hundreds of New York City residents. |
