■ Life Sciences
■ Life Sciences
Johnson & Johnson is actively exploring and seeking the next areas of disruption and New Jersey is the perfect place to do so .
It is the Garden State ’ s first private medical school in 60 years . With 60 students in the 2018 inaugural class , it ’ s grown to 167 in the latest cadre , along with a faculty of 1,563 .
Medical studies are concentrated into a threeyear program , allowing students to design a fourth-year curriculum that suits their individual interests . While many choose to be residents within the Hackensack Meridian Health system ; others have pursued an advanced degree in business or public health . Other paths would lead to research work at the CDI or immersion in a community health project .
“ We ’ re teaching in an interesting way that we think is going to stick with them . It ’ s actually translating to good board scores and we ’ re really pleased with where we are ,” Dean Boscamp said .
The rebirth of the old Roche campus is very gratifying , said Paranicas of the healthcare institute . He describes the life sciences industry as a “ dynamic ecosystem ” that is growing across the state ’ s breadth . “ It ’ s very exciting because it suggests that it ’ s an industry that continues to move forward into the future ,” he said .
One of the latest developments drawing raves is the HELIX ( Health and Life Science Exchange ) in New Brunswick . It was conceived as an innovation district that provides an environment for industry and academia to collaborate . The city is also welcoming the new $ 750 million Jack and Sheryl Morris Cancer Center . When it opens in 2025 it will be the state ’ s first free-standing cancer hospital offering inpatient and outpatient care . RWJBarnabas Health is funding the project . Construction began in 2021 and all the external work has been completed , including the bridge connecting it to
the RWJBarnabas and the Rutgers Cancer Institute . It ’ s named in tribute to real estate developer Jack Morris and his wife , Sheryl , who have been generous benefactors as well as advocates for many years when Jack served as chair of the RWJBarnabas board of directors .
Dr . Steven Libutti , director of the Rutgers Cancer Center and senior vice president of oncology at RWJBarnabas , described the new hospital as a ” transformative project .” He said it will provide “ seamless and integrated care ” for the patients . With New Jersey ranking sixth in the nation for the prevalence of cancer , the center marks significant progress in care . It features
96 inpatient beds , 84 state-of-the-art infusion chairs , 86 examinations rooms and 10 new research laboratories .
Libutti said New Jersey is fast becoming a major destination for biomedical activity , research and education . “ And I think New Brunswick is really going to be the epicenter ,” he maintained .
The robust growth in life sciences is undeniable . It ’ s even drawing attention in the commercial real estate market . John Saraceno , managing principal at Onyx Equities , a leading real estate firm , was exploring the conversion of obsolete office space into life science and lab use . While in theory it seems feasible , Saraceno said it proves much more challenging in practice . But when Merck pharmaceuticals signaled it was interested in selling its 108-acre campus in Kenilworth , Saraceno saw a rare opportunity .
After more than two years of negotiations , Onyx closed on the deal last year . “ And it has not disappointed , in regards to the level of interest ,” he added . During his 30 years in the business , Saraceno said no other property has had such a buzz of prospective tenants seeking tours in the first six months . The property ’ s deep infrastructure , especially its power substation , is the attraction .
Under the contract , Merck will continue to occupy its corporate headquarters on site for a couple of years . But this month Onyx takes over 275,000 square feet of lab space and already has biomedical manufacturing tenants lined-up . Saraceno is eager to fully implement his plan to convert the property into a modern life sciences campus , complete with restaurants and a hotel that will rival any multi-dimensional tech campus in the nation .
Paranicas points to the Onyx development as one of the latest examples of the vibrancy of the life science industry . “ It ’ s really life science 2.0 .”
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Photo : Johnson & Johnson
Photo : Johnson & Johnson
January , 2024 COMMERCE 7