When the Burnham Institute for Medical Research unveiled its dream to establish a research facility in Metro Orlando, that plan was helped along by Florida's Blood Centers, who offered 14,000 square feet of existing wet lab space in FBC's headquarters in Orlando's SouthPark to serve as temporary office and research space for Burnham scientists. With those scientists now moved into Burnham's permanent east coast facility in Lake Nona, Florida's Blood Centers has offered use of that same space for another significant community purpose: to establish and house a specialized biotech incubator, which will serve as a catalyst for the region's growing life science industry.
Recognizing that the fulfillment of Orlando's quest to become a significant life science hub will take many years and rely on the creation, as well as the attraction, of related companies, the EDC has been in talks with Florida's Blood Centers to create an incubator to help grow new companies specific to the biotech and life science industry. The University of Central Florida, whose tech incubator network has been recognized among the best in the world, is also involved in ongoing discussions. While details are still being finalized, the 14,000 square feet of biology and chemistry labs could eventually house six or more start-up companies in various stages of growth.
News of the proposed bio incubator spread quickly at the international BIO Conference, which members of the EDC team attended on behalf of our region. During meetings with companies there, it was clear that having a biotech-specific incubator would provide Metro Orlando with a competitive edge; and several companies have already expressed interest in taking space in the facility.
