BioProcessors Corp., a dynamic new company that has created a cell-based platform to accelerate drug development and enable cell based screening, opened its east coast headquarters at 35-C Cabot Road, Woburn with Cummings Properties. Backed by lending venture capital firm Oxford BioScience Partners, BioProcessors reportedly leased 10,347 square feet.
According to company officials, BioProcessors’ focus is to expedite the discovery and development of therapeutic drugs. Andrey Zarur, CEO explained, “We use a unique micro fabricated platform to grow cells on microchips.” The cell-based micro devices create faster pre-clinical testing and automated biological assay applications. The manufacturer and assembly of the platform and biologicals integration will be performed in Woburn, while BioProcessors’ micro fabrication operations will remain in the San Francisco Bay Area.
BioProcessors is an emerging company competing for market share, so timing was critical in selecting space. Zarur chose Cummings Properties largely for its ability to buildout and finance sophisticated space very quickly with in-house resources.
Since a full lab buildout was required, Zarur and his team spent extensive time with Cummings Properties’ designers developing a plan to meet BioProcessor’s stringent requirements. Cummings Properties is a Woburn based real estate firm with nearly 8 million square feet in 10 communities north of Boston.
Zarur said he is excited to expand his company’s operations and establish offices in both hubs of the national biotechnology industry. He has reportedly already begun recruiting employees for the Woburn operation and expects to have a staff in place early in 2002. While Zarur says he plans to grow cautiously, he has reportedly been aggressive in attempting to hire the best local talent available.
Kathy Doyle of GVA Thompson, Doyle, Hennessey & Everest worked with BioProcessors in the search for space and lease negotiations. Eric Anderson, leasing manager, and Derek Cook, senior leasing officer, represented Cummings Properties. Anderson noted, “We are pleased to welcome BioProcessors to the services Cummings Properties provides for more than 70 biotechnology firms leasing nearly a million square feet of office and laboratory space from Cummings Properties.”