Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator | |
---|---|
Established | 1990 |
Dean | Director David L. Day |
Location | Florida, USA |
Website | Official website |
The Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator is a facility at the University of Florida which has as its mission to meld the latest in research innovation with the marketplace. The Incubator works in all areas research relating to the life sciences, biomedical research, medicine, and chemical sciences.[1]
Contents[hide] |
The Sid Martin Biotechnology Development Institute (BDI) was officially founded on July 2, 1990 by the Florida Legislature and was named after a member in the Florida House of Representatives named Sid Martin in recognition of his commitment to the state of Florida and the University of Florida. In 1994, the Trustees at the University of Florida authorized 6 acres (24,000 m2) to build the Sid Martin Biotechnology incubator.[2]
The Incubator is now 40,000 square feet (3,700 m2) and was built with a combination of funding from the University of Florida, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Florida Legislature. Overall the facility was created, engineered, equipped, and opened in 1995 as one of the first bio-business incubators in the United States. The overall cost at that time was $11.5 million. The Incubator is currently located in the Progress Corporate Park outside of Gainesville, Florida. Overall this research park was built by the vision of former University of Florida President Robert Q. Marston.[3]
Several biotechnology startups have occupied space in the BDI and then went on to become successful independent companies. This includes Applied Genetic Technologies Corp, BioMed Immnunotech, Inc., Cygene Labs, EcoArray Inc., EnCor Biotechnology Inc., Eragen Biosciences Inc., Morphogenesis Inc., Nanotherapeutics Inc., Oragenics Inc., Oxthera Inc. and Verenium Corp.. Two further BDI companies, SunPharm Inc. and Universal Air Technologies Inc. were acquired by larger companies.
In an international contest, the University of Florida’s biotechnology business incubator was named the second best of its kind for 2007. The incubator assists newly created life science companies by providing physical space, equipment, logistical guidance and connections with prospective investors.[4]