Welcome to the GHSU Business Incubator

Life Sciences Business Development Center

 

The Georgia Health Sciences University Life Sciences Business Development Center is a business incubator that encourages, nurtures and fosters entrepreneurial enterprises related to biomedical science.

Gov. Sonny Perdue launched the Center of Innovation for Life Sciences in 2003 with funding from OneGeorgia Authority, which initially created the Life Sciences Business Development Center. As the state’s health sciences university, the Georgia Health Sciences University was the natural choice to host this center as it fulfills its mission of centralizing industry-related life sciences initiatives statewide.

The center, centrally located on GHSU’s main campus in Augusta, Georgia, has approximately 16,000 square feet of space that can house up to five entrepreneurial businesses in the life sciences (bioinformatics, genomics, medical devices, diagnostics, etc.). Each unit includes a large wet lab, a separate clean room or culture room and two offices. Each room includes benches, sinks, desks, tables, chairs, storage shelves and file cabinets.

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 OneGeorgia Authority. Shared rooms and spaces are equipped with autoclaves, a darkroom, a walk-in cold room, break room and multiple conference rooms. GHSU Core Laboratories, service units that offer state-of-the-art scientific equipment and expertise for a modest user fee, are easily accessible.

As a turnkey soft landing site for companies looking to relocate or expand into Georgia, the Life Sciences Business Development Center provides corporate tenants and their sponsoring organizations the same level of access to university researchers and research facilities that GHSU faculty enjoy. Tenants and sponsoring organizations also have the satisfaction of helping shape the future of life sciences as an economic driver for the state of Georgia.

Center benefits include:

• Wet labs
• Office space
• Walk-in cold room
• Darkroom
• Ample conference space with teleconference capabilities
• Lunch room
• Reception area
• Storage space
• Mail/copy/fax room
• Autoclave room
• Business counsel
• Access to core labs and other resources on campus
• Parking
• High-speed Internet access
• Environmental health and safety services
• Clinical trials coordination
• Round-the-clock security
• Access to statewide resources for entrepreneurs and biomedical researchers
• Information about matching grants for those who team with an GHSU faculty member to work in translational research
• An outreach program that reaches out to entrepreneurs statewide, including those in rural areas who might otherwise lack access to the life science industry

The center complements GHSU’s 182-year legacy of improving health and reducing the burden of illness on society. We encourage inquiries and welcome participation by both experienced and successful business people, and the entrepreneurs who aspire to join their ranks.

Christopher McKinney, Ph. D.
Associate Vice President for
Technology Transfer & Economic Development
and Director, Life Sciences Business Development Center

Darryl Nettles, MPA
Manager, Life Sciences Business Development Center