$8.8 Million Project Will Create Increased Laboratory Space and Move CBET to New Scotland Avenue Location
Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) is expanding its $8.8 million growth plans for the Stack Family Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET) in Albany County, acquiring a 154,000 square foot, state-of-the-art medical and life sciences facility located at 150 New Scotland Avenue that is uniquely designed for life science research.
The College plans to renovate laboratory space located at the facility and install highly specialized biopharmaceutical laboratory equipment. CBET is the first training center of its kind in New York State and the only one in the nation to be founded at a pharmacy school. The new labs will be a key differentiator in biomanufacturing training and will create a robust and sustainable pipeline of skilled talent for bio-based companies in the State.
ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Investing in training the next generation of skilled biopharmaceutical professionals will help to strengthen New York State’s life sciences industry and continue our leadership in finding cutting-edge solutions that can both save, and better, our lives. New Yorkers have a unique appreciation for scientific advancement, and the Stack Family Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET) expansion project will contribute to the growth of the critical industry.”
Greg Dewey, President, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences said, “Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences students will directly benefit from the opportunity to work professionally alongside life science, biopharma, biomed, and bio-tech companies that utilize the facility for research and development, resulting in unparalleled employment opportunities in some of the fastest growing and economically lucrative health science industries. The facility will attract future generations of students to ACPHS because of the unique academic, research, and post-graduate opportunities available at the College.”
CBET is ACPHS’s response to the rapidly growing biopharmaceutical field and the need for an educated workforce, which is considered an impediment to the growth and expansion within the life sciences industry. The Center will provide knowledge and hands-on experience to bring innovative biopharmaceuticals to patients.
This project will build and renovate laboratory space to create new Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) and Cell and Gene Therapy labs, and to install and support the operation of highly specialized biopharmaceutical laboratory equipment. This initiative will leverage industry and government partnerships to deploy cutting edge biopharmaceutical manufacturing technology, supporting current and future workforce demands while promoting economic growth. The project is being supported by a $1.75 million ESD capital grant, recommended by the Capital Region Economic Development Council.
CREDC Co-Chair Dr. Havidán Rodriguez said, “I am excited about the plans for growing the Stack Family Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET) in Albany County. This Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences project expansion further spotlights the Capital Region as a vibrant ecosystem for life science research, innovation and training. In strengthening a skilled talent pool to meet company needs, projects like these are growing the regional and state economy.”
After discussions with industry partners, ACPHS determined that additional space was needed for CBET. The newly acquired space on New Scotland Ave is adjacent to the ACPHS campus, which provided the opportunity to move CBET closer to the College and expand its campus footprint. CBET was first established at the Albany Nanotech Complex, which is owned and operated by NY CREATES, where the Center will continue to lease space while utilizing the New Scotland Avenue property to meet growing demands.
New York State continues to invest in and support projects that grow the life science workforce and industry. The $620 million Life Science initiative was enacted to spur the growth of a world-class life sciences research cluster in New York, and expand the state's ability to commercialize this research and grow the economy. This multi-faceted initiative includes $320 million for strategic programs that attract new life science technologies to the state, promote critical public and private sector investment emerging life science fields and create and expand life science-related businesses and employment throughout New York.
The life sciences sector encompasses the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biomedical technologies, life systems technologies, and includes organizations and institutions that devote the majority of their efforts to the various stages of research, development, technology transfer and commercialization. By strengthening incentives, investing in facilities, and improving access to talent and expertise, New York will significantly increase its share of industry-funded research and development, support the commercialization of existing academic research, and usher in the next generation of advanced technologies. Beyond the advancements in science, this initiative will position New York as a magnet for emerging manufacturing-based enterprises, bolstering regional economies and creating thousands of jobs.
State Senator Neil Breslin said, “I am pleased that the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has decided to expand its footprint here in the City of Albany. The Stack Family Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET) is the first training center of its kind in New York State. The new biopharmaceutical labs will generate a robust and sustainable pipeline of skilled talent for the numerous bio-based companies in the State.”
Assemblymember Patricia A. Fahy said, “I am thrilled to see this expansion of the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences’ Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET). We are building an impressive and powerful life sciences cluster here in the Capital Region and this investment will only cement that commitment moving forward. As a strong supporter of investments like these in the life sciences that drive economic growth and create good-paying jobs, such as this project and the $750 million Wadsworth consolidation and upgrade initiative we secured this year, I am pleased to see this investment.”
Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh said, "Today's closing on the new location of CBET is an exciting and strategic next step in the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) effort to continue to do what it has always done - train those who will be working in the pharmaceutical world. New York State is a leader nationally in the life sciences and here locally in the Capital Region we are bearing witness to that focus. Retiring President Dewey should be commended for his vision and I am confident CBET's success will grow significantly under incoming President Tofade. Thank You to Governor Hochul and the team at ESDC for their commitment and interest in this idea generated over four years ago which is now a major education and workforce facility to train tomorrow's biopharmaceutical employees."
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said, “When you invest public funding into important projects like this, even more private dollars will follow. I’m proud that New York continues to build up Albany County’s life sciences industry cluster, which is a fundamental piece of our local economy, a key source of well-paying jobs for residents, and a magnet for future investment. By expanding this state-of-the-art education and training center at the nationally-ranked College of Pharmacy, we can attract top talent to the area to further advance technology and research, and we can also ensure we have the workforce to support our continued economic growth here in the Capital Region.”
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said, “The expansion of the Albany College of Pharmacy’s CBET will enhance equity for Albany’s residents by expanding access to workforce training opportunities in the life science and public health fields. This program will build on the Albany College of Pharmacy’s successes with The Collaboratory in Albany’s South End and have a tremendous impact not only in New York’s Capital City but across our state and nation, especially as we recover from this pandemic and prepare for future public health crises. Thank you to Governor Hochul, Empire State Development, and the Capital Region Economic Development Council for providing the funding necessary to make this vital expansion a reality.”
About Empire State Development
Empire State Development (ESD) is New York's chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Using loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the New York State Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of "I LOVE NY," the State's iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.
Supporting images available here and here.
Contact:
Kristin Devoe (ESD): [email protected] | (518) 414-1087
ESD Press Office: [email protected] | (800) 260-7313