LabCentral, an innovative, shared laboratory space designed as a launchpad for life-sciences startups, announced that Life Technologies will provide an innovative technology suite of instruments representing the latest platforms developed by the company under an agreement inked last month. Life Technologies will also provide training and service support to LabCentral-based startups conducting genetic and cellular analysis.
"Life Technologies has a strong heritage of supporting innovation and new ideas that lead to major breakthroughs in scientific research," said Chief Scientific Officer, Vice President of Global Research & Development for Life Technologies, Alan Sachs, M.D., Ph.D. "Our partnership with LabCentral is grounded in that commitment with the intent to foster novel discoveries among scientists from startups that will work in this collaborative lab space."
"We are thrilled to add Life Technologies to the growing list of LabCentral collaborators dedicated to creating the next generation of biotech leaders," said LabCentral President and Executive Director Johannes Fruehauf. "These generous offerings by Life Technologies give LabCentral scientists access to the most leading-edge tools to accelerate scientific discovery."
Admission to LabCentral is through a competitive review process where only the highest-potential startups are selected. To date, six early-stage companies have begun laboratory operations at the Cambridge facility; 10 resident startups are expected by year's end. LabCentral began reviewing applications from scientists, entrepreneurs, and life sciences startups in July 2013. The application process starts with a short form available at: www.labcentral.org/apply-for-a-space/. Following submission of the form, the LabCentral team interviews applicants to finalize their candidacy and ensure consistency with LabCentral's mission. Tours of the facility can be arranged. Accepted candidates are invited back to choose an appropriate space and finalize terms of a contract.
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