Norgen Biotek to open research lab at CBLS

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Canadian biotechnology company Norgen Biotek will open a research lab and office at the University at Buffalo's Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences (CBLS).

The company will use the 600-square-foot space, located on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, primarily for research and development of next-generation sequencing and nucleic acid isolation processes in collaboration with CBLS’ Genomics and Bioinformatics Core facility.

The company also plans to establish a new 2,800-square-foot manufacturing facility located in Niagara Falls. The facility, part of the company’s $5 milllion expansion in Western New York, will be used for the production and distribution of sample preparation and preservation kits, as well as diagnostic kits.

"This expansion highlights UB's significant role in facilitating innovative and collaborative partnerships between academia, the life science industry and the public sector, with a goal to encourage technology-based scientific discoveries and create economic impact,” said Venu Govindaraju, UB vice president for research and economic development.

Tom Kucharski, president and CEO of Invest Buffalo Niagara, credited UB, the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and other entities for creating a “rapidly growing network of life science companies.” He added that Norgen Biotek’s plans aligns “with the strengths of our region – a strategic binational location, a legacy of advanced manufacturing, and a booming life and health sciences sector.”

“It was very logical for us to select a market where we are able to integrate into an already-existing dynamic life sciences community,” said Yousef Haj Ahmad, CEO of Norgen Biotek.  “This strategic move enables us to utilize the region’s robust workforce, collaborate with life sciences experts and streamline production due to Buffalo’s prime location.”