NewHavenBIZ

32 n e w h a v e n B I Z | N o v e m b e r / D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 9 | n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m Continued from Page 31 NEW HAVEN INCUBATORS appears that this is one nut we couldn't crack." District has heard from many companies, university faculty, individuals, the investor commu- nity, and international companies — all looking for various lab space options, according to Salinas. "Local and state politicians need to do a better job of educating the general public on the importance of the life sciences within the state," Salinas says. "I don't believe we do a good job at explaining the economic impact — such as jobs and revenue — or the societal hu- man impact this industry can have on our community and the world. We have some of the greatest minds, research and institutions in the world here in Connecticut. We all should be supporting our strong industry clusters. A ccording to Hocevar, although the District New Haven lab space project is dead, "there is potential in other areas in New Haven." As of mid-October, she wasn't ready to give any specifics, adding, "Nothing is in stone yet." New Haven's Interim Economic Development Administrator Michael Piscitelli says there are approximately 50 biotech companies in the greater New Haven area today, and addressing their need for more lab space is a "big issue." "It is a high priority for the city and state to figure this out," Piscitelli explains. According to Piscitelli, he is seeing interest from developers, though as of mid-October, he wasn't ready to provide any details. "We have some projects coming together and hope to see something announced in short order," he says. BioCT has opened Innovation Commons in Groton, which offers commercial-grade labs and other space. However, Hocevar said this facility is already at capacity with 30 companies housed there. "at shows the demand that is out there," Hocevar says. "It's full even though it isn't near a universi- ty." Such as, for example, Yale. Legislative focus On the legislative front, Guilford State Sen. Christine Cohen (D- 12), a co-chair of the legislature's Bioscience Caucus and vice chair of the Commerce Committee, is acutely aware of the space issue. "I am constantly hearing from startups about this need," Cohen explains. "We have seen a surge of companies coming in — in New Haven, Branford and the state as a whole. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of space — not a lot of incubator space and not a lot of growth space. ere is a tremendous need for infrastructure." In the meantime Bioscience Caucus members are listening to the bioscience community to un- derstand its needs. e caucus will report back to committees with a goal of creating legislative propos- als, explains Cohen. What are they hearing so far? Cohen says many companies mention the need for more space and improved trans- portation, like expanding Tweed New Haven Airport. "e need for lab space is really pressing," Cohen says. "It's import- ant to get these companies to not only start here, but be able to grow and thrive here." When asked if she is concerned about losing these bioscience businesses to other states because of the space crunch, Cohen says, "I am. We need to be mindful that these companies are looking to start and grow here." According to Cohen, competi- tion from nearby states is at once a threat — and an opportunity. Some other biotech hubs, such as Cam- bridge, Mass. can be "overcrowded and costly," she says, which has prompted some companies to look to Connecticut in search of more attractive alternatives. "We need to help them by providing incubator space," Cohen says. "It is an excellent time for bioscience in Connecticut, and they are creating life-saving tech- nology and pharmaceuticals." e region's affordability may be contributing to the space crunch, notes Keogh. With market rents for lab space in New Haven being low compared to other states, de- velopers may be hesitant about the speculative building of additional lab space. "If the [space] problem isn't fixed, it makes the state less com- petitive in terms of an industry that can support the economy," Keogh explains. "ere are a lot of highly educated scientists in Connecticut, and it is a fertile ground for recruiting people to work in these companies. We are at a critical time in terms of needing to preserve the momentum." n Science Park is home to a number of biotech companies, including Arvinas Inc., Cybrexa Therapeutics and Artificial Cell Technologies.

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