bioLOGIC Corp, a Covington-based global life science investment and management company, reached a new milestone with the official Grand Opening of a life science accelerator building on Sept. 10.
The building, which houses office and lab space for start-up biotech companies, also serves as bioLOGIC’s U.S. Headquarters. The company has affiliates in Shanghai, China; Ft. Collins, Colo.; and Melbourne, Australia.
“We’re happy to develop Northern Kentucky’s first life science accelerator and create a home for high-tech small businesses that are competing and succeeding in the global biotech field,” said Nigel Ferrey, one of the founding partners of bioLOGIC. “Today’s ribbon cutting for bioLOGIC and its resident companies signals that Covington is now home to a world-class biotech cluster.”
bioLOGIC already has a number of resident companies, including PHD Diagnostics, Bexion Pharmaceuticals, NeoCytex Biopharma, PureWater, PrimeDP and BotanoVation. These start-ups’ work covers the spectrum of biotech research and development, from anti-cancer drug development and genetic testing to natural health product development.
High-ranking Kentucky government officials, including Gov. Steve Beshear attended the life science accelerator ribbon cutting on Russell Street in downtown Covington. bioLOGIC moved there from a space at the Toll House Building, just east of the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge.
The governor announced that PHD Diagnostics is launching Respiragene™, a new genetic test that identifies an individual’s risk of developing lung cancer. The test is targeted at smokers and non-smokers alike and PHD’s subsidiary, Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, will be the only lab in the nation processing the tests.
“With Kentucky’s unfortunate claim to having the nation’s highest death rate from lung cancer, it is fitting that this test will be available first to Kentuckians and processed by a Kentucky company,” said Gov. Beshear said. “Our hope is that the test, which only requires rubbing a swab inside the mouth, can motivate more people to enter smoking cessation programs and help them avoid this deadly cancer, as well as lower their risk of heart disease, stroke and other smoking-related illnesses.”
The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development’s Department of Commercialization and Innovation has helped fund three of bioLOGIC’s residents: PHD Diagnostics, Bexion Pharmaceuticals, and NeoCytex BioPharma.
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Kentucky Department of Development
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