Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC, New York State, and the New York Genome Center announced a collaboration to launch a new JLABS in New York City. Called JLABS @ NYC, the 30,000-square foot facility will be located at the New York Genome Center (NYGC) in SoHo and will open in 2018. The project is receiving $17 million in New York State funding. The site will be open to biotech, pharmaceutical, medical device and consumer health companies. A QuickFire Challenge seeking companies working in these areas, particularly startups working on cross-sector solutions to prevent, intercept, or cure diseases, will be launched by Johnson & Johnson Innovation, with the winner(s) eligible for one year of residency at JLABS @ NYC.
 
"The ever-evolving life science sector is discovering solutions to the most pressing problems of our time, helping to cure disease and save lives around the world," said Governor Cuomo. "New York is poised to be a global leader in this industry, and the new, vital incubator JLABS will be the catalyst that pushes our state into the forefront of this exciting field. I look forward to working with Johnson & Johnson and the New York Genome Center to build momentum in the life science industry and establish New York as the home of discoveries that will drive the economy and create a better future for all."
 
"The New York Genome Center is excited to be a partner with Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Governor Cuomo and New York State in bringing JLABS to New York," said NYGC President and COO Cheryl A. Moore. "JLABS' support of talented scientists in New York as they take their innovative ideas to market aligns with our mission of fostering intellectually vibrant collaborations that advance the development of new treatments, therapies and therapeutics against human disease. This initiative would not have been possible without the leadership of the Partnership for New York City and the Partnership Fund for New York City. We are grateful for the commitment of all of our business and academic partners to enhance the life sciences infrastructure in New York."
 
Johnson & Johnson Innovation seeks to find the best science and technology, no matter where it is located, to solve the greatest unmet medical and healthcare needs of our time. JLABS, in addition to offering emerging life science companies modular lab units, office space, shared core laboratory equipment and business facilities, will link the entrepreneurs of New York with the full breadth of Johnson & Johnson Innovation, including opportunities for funding, third-party services, educational events and R&D experts from medical technology, consumer healthcare product and Janssen pharmaceutical teams. In addition to providing access to scientific, industry and capital funding experts from across the industry, JLABS @ NYC will also follow the same no-strings attached approach currently in operation in San Diego; San Francisco; South San Francisco; Boston; Lowell, Mass.; Houston; and Toronto.
 
"Expanding the JLABS model to New York City, home to world-class academic and medical institutions, furthers Johnson & Johnson Innovation's commitment to providing resources that catalyze and foster the growth of life science ecosystems around the world," said Paul Stoffels, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Johnson & Johnson. "Our hope is that JLABS @ NYC will provide a resource-rich environment for innovators throughout the New York region where today's ideas can become healthcare products that truly impact patient's lives."
 
JLABS facilities have incubated more than 200 companies to date and are currently home to over 140 companies advancing biotech, pharmaceutical, medical device, consumer and digital health programs. To date, a total of 33 collaborations have been formed between companies residing at JLABS and the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies.
 
"Home to more than 100 research foundations and nine medical centers, New York City has the foundational elements for a thriving biomedical ecosystem, yet lack of infrastructure and commercialization support has been a roadblock for entrepreneurs in the life sciences in the greater New York region," said Melinda Richter, Head, JLABS. "By providing healthcare startups with the laboratories, equipment, expertise, tools and capabilities that they need to build and grow their companies, we believe JLABS @ NYC will fill a key gap in resources and remove a barrier to growth for the region's life science innovation ecosystem, providing well-paying jobs and allowing potentially transformative solutions for patients to advance."
 
Applications to join JLABS @ NYC and other JLABS sites are currently being accepted from biotech, pharmaceutical, medical device, consumer and digital health companies.