Clarkson to receive $35m biotech push

Clarkson University and the Trudeau Insitute of Saranac Lake will receive $35m over the next five years in state funding to form a biotech partnership to bolster commercialisation outcomes.

Announced by New York State governor Andrew Cuomo, the two institutions will partner on producing a ‘world-class’ biotech enterprise with a focus on energising the research to commercialisation biotech product process.

The funds will be used to build the capabilities of both institutions with the aim of uniting their academic, clinical, federal, and corporate networks with the objective of expanding translational research.

Governor Cuomo said: “New York State has a major asset in both Clarkson University and in the Trudeau Institute and we must harness these strengths to continue to strengthen our innovation economy. This transformational partnership will allow for the best and brightest minds to collaborate and undertake world-class research and development, building the region into a global leader in the biotech industry and driving new opportunities and jobs in Northern New York.”

Tony Collins, president of Clarkson University, added: “Clarkson’s research portfolio is accelerating in biotech and health sciences, and utilizes an interdisciplinary model that frequently brings faculty and industry together to solve complex problems and find practical solutions. For example, faculty members in our Centre for Advanced Materials Processing are actively involved in the development of innovative drug delivery systems using our deep understanding of the chemical composition of new medications. Together, Trudeau and Clarkson have an opportunity to transform the body of scientific knowledge that will emerge through collaboration as well as bring direct benefit to the North Country’s economy through technology-based innovation and new educational opportunities.”