The Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) begins a new era of progress as it moves into the new Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center of Bucks County, which it created and owns. The center – a $15 million, 62,000 square foot nonprofit research facility – is home to the HBF and will serve as a vehicle to accelerate the pace of research to find a cure, recruit and train young scientists, expand the outreach program, and raise its visibility as a world-class resource.
According to Dr. Timothy M. Block, President of the HBF and the new Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, “The HBF started the center because we hope to accomplish much more, in partnership with biotech companies in this space, than would be possible alone. We can get more research done that will help us by bringing together like-minded scientists – whether from commercial settings or nonprofit environments.”
The center is owned in partnership with Delaware Valley College (DVC), and funded in part with a $7.9 million state award from then Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker. While the original project called for building on 10 acres of the college campus, an opportunity to purchase and renovate an abandoned warehouse became available. By using an existing structure, the need for new construction was avoided and spared almost 10 acres of open space.
“This is a way for the HBF to move the science forward and help expand our efforts to assist those affected with viral hepatitis worldwide,” Dr. Block said. “From this building for discovery, will come great things.” What makes the new center unique is that it will house and nurture biotechnology start-up companies and nonprofit organizations under one roof, as well as promote regional economic development, education and training. In addition to the HBF and its affiliate the Institute for Hepatitis and Virus Research, the center will be home to the Drexel Institute for Biotechnology and Virology Research, and Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
While there are no requirements for the kinds of science to be done at the new center, several of the biotech companies already located there are involved in liver cancer or related research.
The nonprofit research groups feature programs in proteomics, genomics, molecular biology, drug discovery and the early detection of cancer.
The Hepatitis B Foundation has a history of spawning success stories. Its work has attracted new companies to the area and spun-off several small biotech companies, including the highly publicized Nucleonics, Synergy (now publicly traded as Callisto Pharma), Oragen and most recently, Immunotope. Several of their discoveries are now being tested for benefit in clinical trials, an important milestone of success.
While current tenants bring a range of talents and expertise, some of the residents of the new biotech center got their start at the HBF and what is now the Drexel Institute. Immunotope, for example, headed by Ramila Philip, Ph.D., is involved in cancer and virus immunotherapy research, including cancer vaccines. Callisto Pharmaceuticals focuses on cancer therapies. Other new tenants include Active Cell, a company that studies bio-processing. Buckingham Life Sciences is exploring biomarkers, particularly those involving liver cancer and fibrosis detection. “We have put ourselves as a central resident in a community of science,” Dr. Block says, with individuals who want to commercialize findings. “We’re all getting the synergistic benefit.”
The surrounding community benefits as well. The former warehouse, renovated into a modern, state-of-the-art facility “will be transformational for this area,” he added. “With scholars, scientists and entrepreneurs, among others all coming here, it will be a home to the development of new ideas, new companies and new jobs.” The center currently employs more than 50 people.
Former Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker agreed. Upon presenting the $7.9 million award in 2003, he noted that “Southeastern Pennsylvania is a hotbed for the biotechnology industry,” and predicted that the center “will help give Bucks County the resources it needs to grow its biotechnology sector to be competitive in the global marketplace.”
While other incubator centers exist in the state, the HBF’s Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center is unique, said Dr. Block, because it has mission-based organizations on site interacting with commercial companies as they come along. “We’re not competing with the companies, we’re interested in connecting with them,” he noted.
“The Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center will put the county on the map as a community intent on attracting start-up companies and enabling them to become a growing part of the local economy,” said former PA Congressman James Greenwood, who is now President and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the international biotech trade association.
For more information, visit www.pabiotechbc.org.
