LabCentral, Launchpad for Start-ups and Heart of the Cambridge Biotech Innovation Hub, Begins Accepting Applications for LabCentral Shared Laboratory Space; Signs New Sponsors

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- LabCentral, an innovative, shared laboratory space designed to be a catalyst for high-potential entrepreneurs and life-sciences startups, is on track for a November 1, 2013, opening, after achieving significant milestones since its incorporation as a not-for-profit organization early this year. On July 1, 2013, LabCentral began accepting applications for the premier start-up space, which offers state-of-the-art laboratory facilities along with the resources, infrastructure, and supportive services that new companies need to complete early-stage research, test out ideas, and translate their vision into successful commercial enterprises. LabCentral also signed additional sponsors.

"LabCentral has generated considerable interest from entrepreneurs and startups working on groundbreaking science, eager to join LabCentral, which will be the first large-scale, fully equipped and resourced life-sciences shared laboratory space in Kendall Square, Cambridge," said LabCentral Executive Director and Co-Founder Johannes Fruehauf. "In this, our first phase of build-out, we can accommodate more than 70 scientists overall. Flexible and affordable, LabCentral will have individual bench space for 30 scientists in a laboratory co-working area; eight private, fully functional labs, housing six to eight scientists each will also be available. Interested scientists, entrepreneurs, and life-sciences startups can apply today for occupancy starting November 1, 2013, by completing a short form available on the LabCentral Web site at: www.labcentral.org/apply-for-a-space/. We will be able to schedule tours for interested parties later this summer."

Following submission of the form, the LabCentral team will interview applicants to finalize their candidacy and ensure consistency with LabCentral's mission. Spaces will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis. As applications progress, LabCentral will post on its Web site details about the remaining spaces available, along with a general description of the types of companies that have already been accepted. Participants can sign up for as little as a one-month stay and take full advantage of all the resources and services that LabCentral has to offer, including: fully functional lab space; permits, waste handling, plus all reasonably common lab equipment for bio-research will be provided. Access to conference rooms and event space, kitchens, etc. will be included as well. In addition, LabCentral will host programming specific to the interests of life-sciences start-ups. Participants can start productive experimental work on day one of move-in and enter an unmatched hub of biotech activity.

Commenting on LabCentral's momentum, Co-Founder Peter Parker, said, "We knew there was a significant need to fill when the three founding partners − Cambridge BioLabs, BioInnovation and Cambridge Innovation Center − launched LabCentral as a biotech incubator with a $5 million capital grant from the Massachusetts Life Science Center in February of this year. Other early, enabling support came from the MIT Investment Management Company and our first founding sponsor, Triumvirate Environmental, and from gold sponsors, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research and Edwards Wildman Palmer. We are gratified by the continued outpouring of interest and support as our progress accelerates toward a November 1 opening: we expect to announce additional sponsorship agreements with key life-sciences companies aligned with our mission, and are eagerly reviewing applications from potential LabCentral startups."

Additional 2^nd quarter LabCentral milestones include:

• Design finalized by architects Kling Stubbins; The Richmond Group retained for construction
• Groundbreaking ceremony with speakers Governor Deval Patrick, Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA, Chair, US Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship), among others, with a host of dignitaries and biotech leaders in attendance
• Inked agreement with Johnson & Johnson Innovation as a founding sponsor to host Janssen Labs @LabCentral
• Cushman and Wakefield, Ambit Creative Group, Kendall Press, and Steady Vision signed on as sponsors

About LabCentral (www.labcentral.org; twitter @labcentral)
A state-of-the art 27,000 square-foot facility in development in the heart of Kendall Square, Cambridge, LabCentral will become home to as many as 25 life-sciences startups employing 70+ high-potential scientists and entrepreneurs. LabCentral will provide fully equipped laboratory and office space, first-class facility and administrative support, a domain-relevant expert speaker series – as well as the other critical services and support that startups need to transition from a science/technology focus to successful commercial-stage enterprises improving patient health. LabCentral is a private, nonprofit institution, funded in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, with support from MITIMCo. Founding sponsors include Triumvirate Environmental and Johnson & Johnson Innovation. The facility is slated to be open in November 2013.

SOURCE LabCentral