North Brunswick, NJ — Vince Calio reports in NJBIZ that the Commercial Center for Innovative Technologies has a new addition to its family, as Genomic Prediction, a startup fertility treatment company, has moved into the space — and is growing already.
The company was co-founded by Rutgers University associate professor Nathan Treff, and specializes in testing human embryos for a range of chromosomal abnormalities and genetic disorders before they are implanted in women who are seeking in vitro fertilization to become pregnant.
So far, the company’s long-term focus is on developing polygenic tests to predict the risk of diabetes and other conditions.
The company was co-founded by Rutgers University associate professor Nathan Treff, and specializes in testing human embryos for a range of chromosomal abnormalities and genetic disorders before they are implanted in women who are seeking in vitro fertilization to become pregnant.
So far, the company’s long-term focus is on developing polygenic tests to predict the risk of diabetes and other conditions.
The company first leased a small office and lab space at CCIT in June, and now intends to make the site its permanent headquarters. The new space will include a wet lab, a specialized facility that enables biotech companies to test drugs and biological materials in liquid solutions.
“CCIT has already provided us with amazing support for developing our laboratory and business, including referrals to financial consultants and top-notch life science vendors,” Treff said in a written statement.
“In addition, the plug-and-play laboratory space and administrative support from the program officer and specialist has made the initial setup extremely convenient and smooth,” Treff said.
“The EDA venture officers also brought the New Jersey Angel Investor tax credit program to our attention, giving us an opportunity to significantly improve our investor relations moving forward,” Treff continued. “Due to this incredible support, we have reached important milestones ahead of schedule.”
The CCIT is run by the state’s Economic Development Authority as an incubator space intended to encourage and assist the growth of biotech startups in the state.
It is a sprawling, 30,000-square-foot facility in New Brunswick that uses a bench system in which entrepreneurs and teams rent out areas in a large lab setting.
The Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies offers dedicated 800-square-foot (or larger) labs and office space for up to five years to starting biotech firms.
“CCIT is widely known as a hub of activity within the state’s biotechnology industry and is brimming with companies impacting the global marketplace,” EDA CEO Melissa Orsen said. “We welcome Genomic Prediction to this collaborative community and look forward to adding the company to the growing list of CCIT success stories.”
Kathleen Coviello, director of the EDA’s technology and life sciences division, said the space has been consistently at 100 percent occupancy for several years in a row after being created more than a decade ago.
CCIT expects to see both Princeton University and Seton Hall-Hackensack Meridian Health Medical School establish incubators with labs later this year.
Another of Genomic Prediction’s neighbors in the facility is Advaxis, which produces drugs designed to treat stage three cervical cancer.
“CCIT has already provided us with amazing support for developing our laboratory and business, including referrals to financial consultants and top-notch life science vendors,” Treff said in a written statement.
“In addition, the plug-and-play laboratory space and administrative support from the program officer and specialist has made the initial setup extremely convenient and smooth,” Treff said.
“The EDA venture officers also brought the New Jersey Angel Investor tax credit program to our attention, giving us an opportunity to significantly improve our investor relations moving forward,” Treff continued. “Due to this incredible support, we have reached important milestones ahead of schedule.”
The CCIT is run by the state’s Economic Development Authority as an incubator space intended to encourage and assist the growth of biotech startups in the state.
It is a sprawling, 30,000-square-foot facility in New Brunswick that uses a bench system in which entrepreneurs and teams rent out areas in a large lab setting.
The Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies offers dedicated 800-square-foot (or larger) labs and office space for up to five years to starting biotech firms.
“CCIT is widely known as a hub of activity within the state’s biotechnology industry and is brimming with companies impacting the global marketplace,” EDA CEO Melissa Orsen said. “We welcome Genomic Prediction to this collaborative community and look forward to adding the company to the growing list of CCIT success stories.”
Kathleen Coviello, director of the EDA’s technology and life sciences division, said the space has been consistently at 100 percent occupancy for several years in a row after being created more than a decade ago.
CCIT expects to see both Princeton University and Seton Hall-Hackensack Meridian Health Medical School establish incubators with labs later this year.
Another of Genomic Prediction’s neighbors in the facility is Advaxis, which produces drugs designed to treat stage three cervical cancer.
