Buckingham-Based Biotechnology Center Gets $722.5K in Funding
State Senator Steve Santarsiero said the funds will be used for new labs and teaching facilities in the "world-class research center."
The Buckingham-based Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center recently received a large funding package, as part of nearly $2 million in state funding recently allocated to science and technology initiatives locally.
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program provided $722,500 to build multi-user labs and teaching facilities in a newly-constructed building.
The center itself is a life sciences incubator dedicated to advancing biotechnology in Bucks County and the region overall by building relationships between nonprofit scientists and their commercial colleagues to launch new discoveries.
"The continued growth and development of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center is attracting new and established companies to our region, putting people to work and helping build Bucks County as a biotech corridor," State Senator Steve Santarsiero said in announcing the new funding.
The center's founder and president, Timothy M. Block, is grateful for Santarsiero's backing, calling him a "great advocate" for their work.
"This support will allow the PABC to further expand our state-of-the-art research facilities for entrepreneurs from our area, to keep generating lifesaving innovations and, of course, to create new jobs," he said. "It also will help us continue to teach young people about science, research and entrepreneurship. The PABC is a world-class research center and this kind of support will allow us to maintain the momentum we've built in recent years."
Another company in Bucks County also received substantial funding toward its innovations.
The New Britain company Thrombolex, Inc., received $1,200,000 to build out a warehouse facility expanding its manufacturing capabilities for the endovascular catheters it produces.
"This catheter platform creates a channel for immediate blood flow through a blood clot to allow for precise and targeted delivery of clot busting drugs (thrombolytics) directly to the clot," CEO Marvin Woodall said. "Pulmonary Embolism is the third leading cause of cardiac death. With this funding, we can now proceed with plans to meet the demand for our life saving devices. We are most appreciative of Senator Santarsiero's support."
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is a Commonwealth grant program for regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. More information is available online.
By Kate Fishman, Patch Staff