Summit-based Celgene Corp. is planning to launch the Thomas O. Daniel Research Incubator and Collaboration Center, a 16,000-sq.-ft. state-of-the-art lab space for entrepreneurs interested in medical research and innovation.
The facility will be located on the Celgene Summit West Research campus in Summit. Celgene’s goal is to “bolster the entrepreneurial ecosystem in New Jersey” by providing space and ideas for those interested in life sciences. Participants will also have access to Celgene’s leadership for advice and ideas. The center is set to open later this year.
“When it comes to the challenges we face in health care, the facts are clear and compelling that medical innovation is the solution, not the problem,” Robert Hugin, executive chairman of Celgene, said in a release. “That is why Celgene is excited to offer an innovative environment for promising scientists and start-up companies to cultivate their ideas and medical discoveries. Hosting the incubator at Celgene aligns with our mission to pursue bold science and provide potentially transformational treatments that will ultimately benefit patients, health care and society.”
Industry leaders applauded the creation of the space. “As a hub of medical innovation, New Jersey is a prime location to establish research facilities that will provide state-of-the-art resources to entrepreneurs, innovators and start-up companies hoping to enhance their research and discover scientific breakthroughs,” said Debbie Hart, president of BioNJ, in a written statement.
Dean Paranicas, president of the Healthcare Institute of New Jersey, added “We look for this exciting initiative to create opportunities for new life sciences companies to develop novel treatments and cures that will benefit patients everywhere.”
