Janssen Research & Development opens life science innovation centre in San Diego
Will provide lab environment for life science start-ups
Janssen Research & Development has opened Janssen Labs, a 30,000ft2 life science innovation centre, located within the company’s Janssen West Coast Research Centre in San Diego, California, US.
The facility will provide a flexible lab environment for start-up companies pursuing new technologies and research platforms.
The first residents of Janssen Labs include Diomics, which focuses on diagnostics, forensics, and DNA analysis; Neurolixis, which designs and develops small molecule drugs for CNS diseases; Tem Systems, a developer of diagnostic systems to measure coagulation profil; and Yolia Health, a developer of optometric devices for non-invasive treatments.
The facility can accommodate a maximum of 18 to 20 companies, and the application and assessment process will continue throughout 2012.
‘A thriving biotech ecosystem is crucial for the success of the pharmaceutical industry as a whole,’ said Diego Miralles, site head for the West Coast Research Centre. ‘Recent challenges in the economic environment have made it difficult for many emerging biotech companies. We believe that supporting and nurturing these companies will be good for the entire industry.’
The Janssen Labs will enable firms to license modular wet lab units on a short-term renewable basis and only pay for the space that they need, with an option to expand quickly when they have the resources to do so.
These firms will also have access to core research labs hosting specialised capital equipment and core administrative areas maintained by Janssen Labs operations management team.
‘This arrangement allows the companies to focus on the development of the science instead of setting up and managing the labs,’ said Miralles. ‘We believe this open innovation model will minimise cost and time and is an effective way for companies to develop and focus on research.’
Because Janssen Labs is an open innovation model, the agreement for the space does not grant Janssen any stake in the companies nor will the companies have a guaranteed future affiliation with Janssen. If either Janssen or a residing company is interested in furthering the business relationship, the process would be the same as for any external partnership or collaboration.
To date, the management team of Janssen Labs has received and reviewed more than 100 applications. Companies are evaluated on criteria such as compelling science and/or technology, area of significant medical or market need, credible science/technology team and demonstrated financial solvency.
The applying companies represent diverse sectors across healthcare including biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, instrumentation and diagnostics.