Celgene has unveiled plans to open the Thomas O. Daniel Research Incubator and Collaboration Center, offering entrepreneurs state-of-the-art lab space, resources and support to scientists and companies with potentially transformational approaches to accelerate medical discoveries and innovations. The facility houses 16,000 sq. ft. of shared and fully equipped lab facilities located on the Celgene Summit West Research campus in Summit, NJ, to create an environment that can help medical innovators accelerate discoveries that may lead to life-enhancing medicines for patients in need. The Incubator, set to open this year, is dedicated to Thomas O. Daniel, M.D., who served as executive vice president and president of research and early development at Celgene from 2006 to 2016.

“When it comes to the challenges we face in healthcare, the facts are clear and compelling that medical innovation is the solution, not the problem. That is why Celgene is excited to offer an innovative environment for promising scientists and start-up companies to cultivate their ideas and medical discoveries,” said Robert Hugin, executive chairman, Celgene. “Hosting the incubator at Celgene aligns with our mission to pursue bold science and provide potentially transformational treatments that will ultimately benefit patients, healthcare and society.”

“Celgene has always recognized the need to harness disruptive sciences that lead to the development of life-altering medicines,” said Thomas O. Daniel, M.D. “I am honored that the distributed research and development model that I helped establish in my tenure at Celgene will continue to thrive through Celgene’s incubator and the work of tomorrow’s medical innovators.”

The Incubator has the potential to bolster the entrepreneurial ecosystem in New Jersey, creating a global epicenter for biotechnology by seeding innovation in life sciences. New Jersey hosts a multitude of biopharmaceutical leaders that are committed to medical innovations, with strong manufacturing capabilities. The state is home to a majority of the world’s top 20 research-based biopharmaceutical companies and over 3,000 life sciences establishments. In addition, 13 teaching hospitals, five research universities and four medical schools are located in New Jersey. Based on this wealth of life sciences talent, the state is well-positioned to drive innovation and possibly cures for the 21st century.

“As a hub of medical innovation, New Jersey is a prime location to establish research facilities that will provide state-of-the-art resources to entrepreneurs, innovators and start-up companies hoping to enhance their research and discover scientific breakthroughs,” said Debbie Hart, founding president and chief executive officer of BioNJ. “We look forward to working with the Thomas O. Daniel Research Incubator and Collaboration Center to grow our economy in New Jersey and deliver new therapies to improve patients’ lives.”

“The HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ) congratulates Celgene on the launch of its incubator, which will enhance New Jersey’s expanding innovation ecosystem,” said Dean J. Paranicas, President and Chief Executive Officer of HINJ.  “We look for this exciting initiative to create opportunities for new life sciences companies to develop novel treatments and cures that will benefit patients everywhere.”