Transcript
SUNY Downstate’s Biotechnology Initiative
Testimony of Eva Cramer, Ph.D. President of Downstate Technology Center, Inc. President of BioBAT, Inc. Vice President for Biotechnology and Scientific Affairs State University of New York Downstate Medical Center Before the Committee on Technology in Government and Committee on Economic Development of the New York City Council Good morning members of the New York City (NYC) Council, and thank you for inviting me to speak to you. My name is Dr. Eva Cramer and I am the Vice President for Biotechnology and Scientific Affairs at the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center and President of two not-for-profit organizations working to foster the growth of the Biotechnology industry in NYC. Biotechnology is widely expected to be a major source of economic growth in the 21st century. However, NYC has not been as successful as it could be in developing startup companies or in attracting and retaining more mature biotechnology companies. This is due in part to the lack of suitable space.
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To foster the development of the biotechnology industry in New York, Downstate Medical Center has designed and implemented a comprehensive strategic plan. This approach addresses the biotech industry’s critical need for affordable laboratory and expansion space while capitalizing on the rich intellectual resources of New York’s premier medical research institutions. The plan includes:
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Construction of a biotech incubator for early-stage companies adjacent to Downstate’s Brooklyn campus Development of the Brooklyn Army Terminal for biotech expansion and manufacturing for incubator graduates and other tenants, including those from other states and nations
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Workforce development programs and the creation of high-quality jobs
Downstate Technology Center, Inc., a non-profit organization, oversees the development and management of the biotechnology incubator. The incubator, which is in a New York State Empire Zone, will be 50,000 sq. ft. when fully constructed. The first half of the incubator (24,000 sq. ft.) is occupied, and we are about to begin design and construction of the final 26,000 sq. ft. The incubator tenants have access to Downstate’s resources, such as scientists, students, medical library, vivarium, and specialized research facilities and equipment. The biotech companies are provided an affordable, nurturing scientific environment to help them reach their full potential. When these biotech companies outgrow the incubator, they can expand into the Brooklyn Army Terminal. Working with the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the Research Foundation of the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center has helped develop another non-profit organization; BioBAT, Inc. BioBAT’s goal is to establish the Brooklyn Army Terminal as a site for biotech expansion and manufacturing. The Brooklyn Army Terminal is a gated, secure (24/7) complex located on a 97-acre harbor-front campus. The site, which is accessible by public and private transportation to all New York City medical and research institutions, is very adaptable for biotech needs. BioBAT has raised $12.5 million from New York City and $42 million from New York State to develop the project. In Phase 1 (38,000 sq. ft.), the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), a Downstate Incubator tenant funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates 2
Foundation, became the anchor tenant in November 2008. The development of an additional 486,000 sq. ft. of biotech space will occur in phases. This new space can accommodate graduates of Downstate’s and Columbia’s Biotech Incubators, as well as more mature biotech companies. To ensure an appropriate labor force, job-training programs in biotechnology are underway for graduate students at Downstate and with Hunter College of CUNY for biotechnology technicians. The biotechnology technician program, which has trained 181 students, includes a workshop, internship and job placement component that is tailored to New York City’s growing biotechnology industry. This program has been very well received by students and employers. While we have made significant progress, we still have much to accomplish. First, I would like to thank the New York City Council for your past and hopefully future financial support of the Biotechnology Incubator for early stage companies and the Brooklyn Army Terminal for biotech expansion and manufacturing. Both are absolutely crucial to the development of the Biotech industry in NYC. In addition, we need your support for workforce development programs that prepare our college and graduate students to work in the biotech industry. Such programs are essential to develop academic and industry partnerships since they align graduate training with industry needs, encourage entrepreneurship and help prepare future leaders of the industry. The Biotech Initiative contributes significantly to New York City by diversifying its industrial base and by providing educational programs to service this growing industry. It also serves as an economic engine for jobs, new technologies and helps bring medical treatments to the marketplace. The development of affordable, state-of-the-art scientific space for this critically important industry will enable New York City to finally capitalize on its untapped potential as a world-class center for innovation.
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