LabCentral, the first-of-its-kind shared laboratory space designed as a launchpad for high-potential biotech start-ups, announced a total of $22.4 million in sponsorship commitments for LabCentral 238, a fully functional life sciences laboratory with a focus on scale-up bio-manufacturing.

Thermo Fisher Scientific and Waters Corporation join Astellas and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MSLC) as sponsors. Part of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) South of Main Street (SoMa) Development in the heart of Kendall Square's innovation hub, LabCentral 238 is currently under construction and is expected to open in November 2021.

"We welcome our new sponsors as we collaborate to help high-potential start-ups begin their process development activities much earlier and create a new community around bio-manufacturing including the development of a more diverse and inclusive biotech workforce,” says Johannes Fruehauf, Co-founder, President, LabCentral.

"I applaud our partners at LabCentral for securing additional support for this innovative project that leverages the Commonwealth's investment and further drives the biotech engine of Massachusetts' economy,” states Mike Kennealy, Massachusetts Housing and Economic Development Secretary, Co-chair, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Board of Directors.

"Its new facility represents the opportunity Massachusetts has to lead in the bio-manufacturing space, pairing high quality facilities with equally high quality workforce programming that expands biotech jobs in Massachusetts,” mentions Kenn Turner, President, CEO, MLSC.

"We are proud to help guide and develop this next generation of companies and researchers that will inhabit LabCentral 238 as they seek to access the promise of these rapidly evolving fields,” comments Yoshitsugu Shitaka, President, Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine (AIRM).

“The biotech pioneers who progress through LabCentral 238 will transform medicine and improve lives,” says Sandy Pound, VP, Chief Communications Officer, Thermo Fisher Scientific.

"Through contributing analytical technologies, expertise and access to our nearby Immerse Cambridge collaborative research lab, we are committed to supporting the next generation of biopharma and biotech innovators that will occupy LabCentral 238,” states Rob Carson, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, Waters Corporation.