Pitt’s first

Pitt plans to give early-stage life sciences startups a place to turn ideas into businesses with its first startup facility.

The Board of Trustees on Sept. 25 approved a $20 million life sciences startup “incubator” that will provide laboratories, equipment and workspaces for young life sciences and medical technology companies. Located at 3343 Forbes Ave., construction of the facility will start soon, and it is anticipated to open in approximately two years.

The building currently houses the Center for Social and Urban Research. To develop and operate the facility, Pitt will be working with Wexford Science and Technology, a real estate development and investment company that builds mixed-use innovation spaces and research hubs.

Pitt has explored establishing a facility like this for many years, according to a university spokesperson. The project is intended to address a gap in support for companies that are just starting out before they begin to expand. The spokesperson said the incubator will help the local life sciences network, which includes Pitt facilities and many others in the region.

Rob Rutenbar, senior vice chancellor for research, said during the board meeting he has “big hopes” for this project, describing his ambitions to attract startups beyond Pittsburgh.

“This is a regional play. I would like Penn State’s startups to come here. I’d like Ohio State’s startups to come here,” Rutenbar said.

The building’s final layout is still under development, according to the spokesperson. Pitt expects it to include wet and dry laboratories and equipment necessary for life sciences research. Companies will have to apply for access, and accepted applicants will have to sign lease agreements.

According to Wexford’s chief community officer Travis Sheridan, the incubator would include collaborations among life sciences, health care and technology.

“Much like the geographic confluence of the three rivers, this facility will leverage the intellectual confluence of the Pittsburgh region,” Sheridan said. “While there will be focus on the life sciences, that scope gets broadened to include the convergence of life sciences, health care and technology that is defining Pittsburgh’s innovation ecosystem.”

Sheridan believes the incubator will strengthen Pitt’s reputation as a center for biotechnology and innovation. By providing operational support and opportunities for collaboration, the facility could help entrepreneurs focus on developing their business and scientific discoveries.

“A facility like this sends a strong signal within the region and outside of it that Pittsburgh is open, collaborative and ready for business when it comes to driving innovation,” Sheridan said.

He also said scientific and technological innovation requires collaboration across institutions. The facility aims to bring together university researchers, entrepreneurs, corporations and community members who can contribute to different areas.

“The biochemist from Pitt needs to collaborate with the computer scientist from CMU,” Sheridan said. “The startup needs testers, and the community can play a role shaping innovation as early adopters.”

According to Sheridan, the company has an already-established relationship with Pitt by working with it on The Assembly, a 350,000 sq. ft. research and innovation center in Shadyside. Wexford hopes the incubator will strengthen their relationship with Pitt and help researchers turn scientific discoveries into strong businesses.

“The University of Pittsburgh is a top research enterprise and aligns well with Wexford’s belief that innovation is a process to improve the human condition,” Sheridan said. “The incubator is an important and natural way to expand our partnership with Pitt.”

Before Pitt chose Wexford, there was an extensive request for proposal process, according to Dwayne Pinkney, Pitt’s executive senior vice chancellor for administration & finance and chief financial officer.

“There were four companies that responded, and Wexford emerged as the strongest of those four RFP processes,” Pinkney said at the board meeting. “They were primarily chosen because of their experience in providing this type of facility and support, especially in the programming in several strategic markets.”

Sheridan explained that designing a specialized incubator involves technical considerations beyond those of a traditional office building. It includes ventilation, shared laboratory equipment, flexible workplaces and balancing offices with collaborative areas.

“Startups and innovation teams require flexibility, operational support and as much day-to-day friction removed as possible,” Sheridan said.

He added that the company’s specific role in the project will be to oversee the design and renovation of the existing Center for Social and Urban Research, and, once completed, Wexford would then manage daily operations, recruit startups and support early-stage ventures on behalf of Pitt.

“[It also] includes activating the space, curating and producing innovation-related programing, and positioning the facility as a critical piece of regional innovation infrastructure,” Sheridan said.

Megan Shaw, president and CEO of Pittsburgh Life Sciences Alliance, emphasized the importance of infrastructure in research growth.

“Investments in infrastructure that support translation and company growth are critical to building the ecosystem into a global innovation leader and regional economic engine,” Shaw wrote in a statement.