Through a partnership between state government, leading academic institutions and the private sector, the $71.5 million program builds upon the area's existing resources to establish a biotechnology cluster on Long Island. Members of the partnership include the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, OSI Pharmaceuticals, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Institute and academic partners at Hofstra University, SUNY Farmingdale and Malloy College.
"This exciting partnership -- combined with our new Long Island Center of Excellence in Wireless Internet and Information Technology -- is going to help produce thousands of new jobs and major new private sector investments throughout the Long Island region," Gov. Pataki said.
Officials said the project, funded through the Senate's "Gen*NY*sis" plan and other state economic development programs, will augment existing research capacity, enhance educational opportunities and expand available commercial/laboratory facilities.
Research programs will focus on analysis of vast amounts of biological data created through the mapping of the human genome, to create treatments for diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other genetic illnesses. Other research will include high-powered brain imaging for the study of brain disease, autoimmune disorders, cancers, viruses, infertility and Parkinson's.
Officials said the availability of affordable laboratory and commercial space are the principle areas in which New York can ensure the viability of growing biotech firms. The project includes substantial business incubation space, providing a home for research spin-off companies and new biotech ventures. The facility will encourage the clustering effect through the collaboration among industry and academic researchers that fosters the commercialization of new products.
The state's funding will support the following elements of the $71.5 million project:
- A $35 million bio-informatics research center at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where computer scientists, biologists and biomedical informatics specialists will explore and develop treatments for cancers, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other genetic illnesses. The funding will support 25,000 square feet of space and equipment.
- A $4.6 million North Shore-Long Island Jewish Research Institute ultra high field magnetic resonance imaging unit at the Institute's Neurosciences Center of Excellence, which will enhance research capabilities in the study of brain disease, autoimmune disorders, cancers, viruses, infertility and Parkinson's.
- A $20 million incubator at SUNY Farmingdale's Broad Hollow Bioscience Park, which will have OSI Pharmaceuticals as the anchor tenant. The 50,000 square foot incubator will provide start-up biotechnology companies with necessary low-cost accommodations and offer tremendous cooperative benefits among the tenants.
- $10 million for the Institute for the Development of Education in the Advanced Sciences (IDEAS Center) at Hofstra University. The IDEAS Center will provide future computer science and engineering teachers and current teachers with access to modern equipment and technology; improve K-12 technology education; and encourage the pursuit of college and graduate degrees in these fields.
- $1.9 million to create the Long Island Center for K-12 Science Education at Molloy College. The college will upgrade its laboratories and other facilities needed to train K-12 science teachers to help address the region's shortage of science teachers and operate ancillary projects designed to renew students' interest in the sciences.
Office of Gov. George Pataki
