NEW HAVEN, CONN., October 26, 2021 -- With often-elusive tech advancements influencing laboratories’ unique workplace needs, a select group of experts in biotech office design and practices offered time-tested solutions for success in a three-part virtual discussion series running from September 28 through October 26, 2021.

Hosted by renowned authority in state-of-the-art laboratory and research center design, the architecture, art and advisory firm Svigals + Partners and bioscience industry advocate BioCT, the three-session, virtual panel event, “Developing and Managing Your Biotech Space Needs,” explored optimal locations for biotech spaces, designs for a maximum return on investment, and creating lasting spaces.

During each 90-minute session, audience members learned about developing and growing their operations from the moderated discussion’s expert panelists in prominent academic, bioscience, building-owner, and design specialties.

The first session, on September 28, covered the intersection of biotech and real estate, answering questions such as what type of space is best for you and where should it be located? Incubator vs. start-up space? What are your options? And pros and cons of staying close to a university vs. outlying areas. 

New Haven Innovation Labs at the John B. Pierce Laboratory. Photo credit: Robert Umenhofer

Moderator: 
Dawn Hocevar, President/CEO, BioCT

Panelists:
Jon Soderstrom, Managing Director of University Technology Commercialization and Faculty Innovation, Yale University
Paul Parker, Director of Technology Incubation Program (TIP), University of Connecticut
Kim Kelly, Director of Operations, BioCT Innovation Commons
Eric Linsley, Managing General Partner, BioLabs

The second session, on October 12, discussed "Designing Your Lab for Maximum ROI." Topics explored considerations for designing the right environment to meet your goals, such as: User-centered design and wellbeing, flexibility, safety, function, ease of operation/maintenance, security, energy conservation, permitting/zoning, regulatory issues, and shared resources in a multi-tenant building. The role of programming, master planning, location, and branding was also discussed. 

Moderator: 
Chris Ostop, Managing Director, JLL

Panelists:
Bob Skolozdra, Partner, Svigals + Partners
Brian Murray, Managing Director, Strategic Spaces
Carter Winstanley, Principal, Winstanely Enterprises
Richard Michaud, President, Michaud Company
Alex Twining, CEO & Owner, Twining Properties

The last session, on October 28, provided lessons learned by industry leaders navigating the lab space lifecycle. 

Moderator: 
Jay Brotman, Managing Partner, Svigals + Partners

Panelists:
Sean Cassidy, Chief Financial Officer, Arvinas
Scott Phillips, Biotech CFO, Halda
Jeanne Bertonis, Chief Operating Officer, Azitra
Alisa Waterman, Chief Scientific Officer, FreeThink Technologies

Registered attendees were able to submit questions in advance of each session and post queries during the programs for live and follow-up answers. Free registration was through EventBrite. Recordings of each event can be found in BioCT's video library.