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Good morning members of the New York City (NYC) Council, and thank you for inviting
me to speak to you. My name is Dr. Eva Cramer and I am the Vice President for
Biotechnology and Scientific Affairs at the State University of New York (SUNY)
Downstate Medical Center and President of two not-for-profit organizations working to
foster the growth of the Biotechnology industry in NYC.
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To foster the development of the biotechnology industry in New York, Downstate
Medical Center has designed and implemented a comprehensive strategic plan. This
approach addresses the biotech industry’s critical need for affordable laboratory and
expansion space while capitalizing on the rich intellectual resources of New York’s
premier medical research institutions. The plan includes:
When these biotech companies outgrow the incubator, they can expand into the
Brooklyn Army Terminal. Working with the New York City Economic Development
Corporation and the Research Foundation of the State University of New York,
Downstate Medical Center has helped develop another non-profit organization; BioBAT,
Inc. BioBAT’s goal is to establish the Brooklyn Army Terminal as a site for biotech
expansion and manufacturing. The Brooklyn Army Terminal is a gated, secure (24/7)
complex located on a 97-acre harbor-front campus. The site, which is accessible by
public and private transportation to all New York City medical and research institutions,
is very adaptable for biotech needs.
BioBAT has raised $12.5 million from New York City and $42 million from New York
State to develop the project. In Phase 1 (38,000 sq. ft.), the International AIDS Vaccine
Initiative (IAVI), a Downstate Incubator tenant funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates
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Foundation, became the anchor tenant in November 2008. The development of an
additional 486,000 sq. ft. of biotech space will occur in phases. This new space can
accommodate graduates of Downstate’s and Columbia’s Biotech Incubators, as well as
more mature biotech companies.
While we have made significant progress, we still have much to accomplish. First, I
would like to thank the New York City Council for your past and hopefully future financial
support of the Biotechnology Incubator for early stage companies and the Brooklyn
Army Terminal for biotech expansion and manufacturing. Both are absolutely crucial to
the development of the Biotech industry in NYC. In addition, we need your support for
workforce development programs that prepare our college and graduate students to
work in the biotech industry. Such programs are essential to develop academic and
industry partnerships since they align graduate training with industry needs, encourage
entrepreneurship and help prepare future leaders of the industry.
The Biotech Initiative contributes significantly to New York City by diversifying its
industrial base and by providing educational programs to service this growing industry.
It also serves as an economic engine for jobs, new technologies and helps bring
medical treatments to the marketplace. The development of affordable, state-of-the-art
scientific space for this critically important industry will enable New York City to finally
capitalize on its untapped potential as a world-class center for innovation.