Life Sciences Business Development Center
at MCG
The Medical College of Georgia (MCG) has a genuine interest
in, and a commitment to, economic development in Augusta and the Central
Savannah River Area (CSRA). It recently created an Office of Technology
Transfer & Economic Development, and then encouraged that office to
create a business incubator in the newest research building on MCG campus.
The incubator, known as the Life Sciences Business
Development Center (LSBDC), occupies most of the second floor in the
Interdisciplinary Research Building (Phase II) located on Laney-Walker
boulevard just south of 15th street. It has approximately 16,000 gross
square feet of space that accommodate the incubator and the technology
transfer offices.
The LSBDC is managed by the MCG Office of Technology
Transfer and Economic Development, a unit reporting to the Vice President for Research, Frank Treiber, Ph.D. The
space itself is master-leased and administered by the MCG Research
Institute, a not-for-profit support organization chaired by MCG President
Daniel Rahn and Directed by Associate V.P. Betty Aldridge.
An Advisory Board provides overall guidance and policies. It
is staffed by approximately 20 business leaders, scientists and
administrators who provide advice and assistance on policies for running the
incubator. There also is a Board of Business Counselors who volunteer to
assist the tenant companies as they cope with the challenges of growing a
business.
The incubator houses 5 entrepreneurial businesses in the
life sciences, which can range from bioinformatics and genomics to medical
devices and diagnostics. Each of the entrepreneurial suites consists of
1,130 sq. ft., with one large wet lab, a separate clean room or culture
room, and two offices. Each room has all of the basic benches, sinks, desks,
tables, chairs, storage shelves, and file cabinets to enable the company to
begin work almost immediately without major capital outlays.
Major scientific equipment is included as well. The labs are
fully outfitted with laminar flow hoods, incubators, refrigerators,
freezers, centrifuges, waterbaths, etc., thanks to the generous support of
the Georgia Medical Center Authority and a grant form the OneGeorgia
Authority. There also are shared rooms and spaces with autoclaves, a
darkroom, a walk-in cold room, break room, and multiple conference rooms.
The location of the incubator in the center of the campus affords easy
access to the MCG Core Laboratories, service units that offer
state-of-the-art scientific equipment and expertise for a modest user fee.
Overall, we feel that this environment, the opportunities
and the capabilities it offers will ensure the success of the new
entrepreneur and the company.
Mission
Assist companies in dealing successfully with the challenges and
opportunities of growth
Goals
-
Create quality jobs
-
Commercialize new products and
services
-
Increase company valuations
-
Improve healthcare outcomes
-
Lower the cost of healthcare
-
Enhance education and research
at MCG
-
Expand the life science
business base in Augusta
-
Contribute to the economic
prosperity of Georgia
Rationale
- Enhance MCG research funding
- Offer new educational and training opportunities for faculty, staff
and students
- Improve university-community relationships
- Enhance employment opportunity for graduates and CSRA residents
- Assist in recruitment/retention of faculty
- Offer faculty and students access to unique resources and knowledge
- Increase local, state and national visibility and reputation
- Improve the economic climate in the (CSRA)
- Benefit the MCG Technology Transfer Program
Contact Us
We are located in the addition behind the Interdisciplinary
Research Building on Laney Walker Boulevard. This is the "green
glass" building just down from the public parking lot at the Student Center.
(15th Street and Laney Walker Boulevard).
Mailing Address
Life Sciences Business Development Center
1462 Laney Walker Boulevard
Room CA -2105
Medical College of Georgia
Augusta, Georgia 30912
Phone 706-721-4122
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