10,000 Square Feet of New Lab Space to Support Early-and Mid-Stage Life Sciences Companies
State Investment of $1.5 Million Enhances Growing Life Sciences Industry in New York City
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Harlem Biospace will open its second incubator space in the Mink Building at 1361 Amsterdam Avenue in West Harlem's Factory District. Harlem Biospace is a biotech incubator that offers affordable shared wet lab space for early-stage small and mid-sized life science companies. The facility will help fulfill a need for lab space for biotech companies with growing teams and for those graduating from shared spaces and facilities. The Manhattanville Factory District is a 1.2mm rsf master-planned innovation campus developed by the Janus Property Company.
"With this expansion, Harlem Biospace is positioning the community as a world-class destination for researchers and businesses in the life sciences industry," Governor Hochul said. "We are making Harlem a hub for scientific innovation, and my administration remains committed to supporting projects like this to bring the jobs of tomorrow to our great state."
Harlem Biospace's first incubator space is in the Sweets Building in the Factory District. This venture will result in a 10,250 square foot step-out graduation incubator lab for approximately 12-15 companies that are too large for typical lab incubators, but too small to lease a private commercial lab. It will have a total capacity of up to 210 researchers. The offices and lab space will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and amenities with access to equipment and resources, including incubators, centrifuges and biosafety cabinets and biohazardous and chemical waste disposal. The project also includes 11,000 square feet of space for a life science anchor tenant, currently Volastra Therapeutics, a New York-based drug discovery and therapeutics company pioneering novel approaches to treating cancer.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York continues to make strategic investments to enhance and grow the life sciences and biotech ecosystem in New York City. Smart investments that support groundbreaking companies will bolster the workforce of tomorrow and strengthen New York's position as a leader in scientific advancements."
Recognizing the importance of supporting the growing life sciences industry in New York State, this project was recommended by the New York City Regional Economic Development Council and awarded a $1.5 million grant from Empire State Development. This project aligns with the Regional Economic Development Council's regional plan to support growing life-science companies and bolster the life sciences workforce in New York City.