LexaGene Holdings Inc., a biotechnology company that develops instrumentation for pathogen detection, has significantly expanded its operations in Massachusetts. Originally based in Vancouver, Canada, LexaGene recently signed a lease for a 17,500-square-foot office, lab, and R&D space at 500 Cummings Center, Suite 4550, in Beverly.
The new location includes a state-of-the-art, level-two biosafety laboratory, which will allow LexaGene to adhere to biocontainment precautions specified by the CDC while testing for pathogens. The space was custom-designed by Cummings’ in-house design and construction teams.
“LexaGene has started ramping up its operations, and we needed to lease a larger space that would support our R&D and manufacturing efforts moving forward,” said Dr. Jack Regan, LexaGene’s CEO. “We also plan to bring on about 20 new employees in anticipation of this growth in the coming months. Beverly and Cummings Center are a particularly ideal location for us, since it allows us to tap into the very talented pool of engineers and scientists in the Boston area.”
“It’s been a distinct pleasure to watch Dr. Regan’s business expand and to assist him with his growing office and lab space needs,” said Will Bernard, account manager at Cummings Properties. “LexaGene is a welcome addition to the thriving biotech cluster at Cummings Center.”
The 2 million-square-foot campus is home to more than 50 life sciences firms, including North Shore InnoVentures, Qiagen, and Waters Technologies.
LexaGene’s innovative biotechnology includes the “LX6,” which is a pathogen detection platform designed for the food safety, veterinary diagnostics, water quality monitoring, and aquaculture markets.
Cummings Center is the North Shore’s largest office park, and the former site of United Shoe Machinery Corporation. Today, Cummings Center houses more than 550 businesses, including corporate headquarters, medical offices, software firms, research laboratories, and micro-businesses. It is also home to the luxury condominiums of Elliott Landing.