New York Construction Report staff writer
Gov. Kathy Hochul visited Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory last week to view the progress on their new Pancreatic Cancer Center construction and to announce $15 million for the project.
Funding, though Empire State Development, is designated for the lab’s $500 million expansion plan. The center will aim to advance research to diagnose and treat pancreatic cancer, considered one of the most lethal forms of cancer.
It “will advance research to better understand pancreatic cancer, one of the most devastating forms of cancer,” Hochul said in a news release. “We are making important investments to ensure New York is on the cutting edge of biomedical research, creating new jobs, and ensuring we remain competitive in the 21st century economy.”
“Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s expansion of the Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence is a testament to the vital role that research institutions play in advancing our understanding and treatment of devastating diseases like pancreatic cancer,” Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said in the news release.
“This investment not only highlights the state’s recognition of CSHL’s exceptional scientific contributions but also underscores our dedication to fostering innovation and economic growth in Long Island’s life sciences sector.”
The pancreatic center is expected to attract entrepreneurial scientists from the lab and other centers, and could create more than 100 “high-value local scientific jobs,” prompting more economic stimulus to the region.
CSHL researchers, led by scientist, Dr. David Tuveson, have developed scientifically valuable model systems. Scientists at the lab aim to utilize these models in collaboration with neighboring medical facilities to develop innovative therapies and diagnostics, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Founded in 1890, CSHL collaborates with other researchers, including at Northwell Health. The lab support about 1,000 high-paying life science jobs and is also home to eight Nobel Prize winning scientists, and according to the state has a history of commercializing research.
“Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has already made significant breakthroughs in pancreatic cancer research, including the discovery of new drug targets,” Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory President and CEO Bruce Stillman said in the news release. “Our new Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence will help validate these targets, enabling our commercial partners to develop innovative therapies and diagnostic strategies that ultimately improve patient outcomes.”
