4 Eva Cramer Biotech Suny Downstate

SUNY Downstate’s Biotechnology Initiative
Testimony of Eva Cramer, Ph.D.

President of Downstate Technology Center, Inc.
President of BioBAT, Inc.
Vice President for Biotechnology and Scientific Affairs
State University of New York Downstate Medical Center
Before the Committee on Technology in Government and Committee on Economic
Development of the New York City Council
Good morning members of the New York City (NYC) Council, and thank you for inviting
me to speak to you. My name is Dr. Eva Cramer and I am the Vice President for
Biotechnology and Scientific Affairs at the State University of New York (SUNY)
Downstate Medical Center and President of two not-for-profit organizations working to
foster the growth of the Biotechnology industry in NYC.
Biotechnology is widely expected to be a major source of economic growth in the 21st

century. However, NYC has not been as successful as it could be in developing start-
up companies or in attracting and retaining more mature biotechnology companies. This
is due in part to the lack of suitable space.
1
To foster the development of the biotechnology industry in New York, Downstate
Medical Center has designed and implemented a comprehensive strategic plan. This
approach addresses the biotech industry’s critical need for affordable laboratory and
expansion space while capitalizing on the rich intellectual resources of New York’s
premier medical research institutions. The plan includes:
• Construction of a biotech incubator for early-stage companies adjacent to

Downstate’s Brooklyn campus
• Development of the Brooklyn Army Terminal for biotech expansion and
manufacturing for incubator graduates and other tenants, including those from
other states and nations
• Workforce development programs and the creation of high-quality jobs
Downstate Technology Center, Inc., a non-profit organization, oversees the

development and management of the biotechnology incubator. The incubator, which is
in a New York State Empire Zone, will be 50,000 sq. ft. when fully constructed. The first
half of the incubator (24,000 sq. ft.) is occupied, and we are about to begin design and
construction of the final 26,000 sq. ft. The incubator tenants have access to Downstate’s
resources, such as scientists, students, medical library, vivarium, and specialized
research facilities and equipment. The biotech companies are provided an affordable,
nurturing scientific environment to help them reach their full potential.
When these biotech companies outgrow the incubator, they can expand into the
Brooklyn Army Terminal. Working with the New York City Economic Development
Corporation and the Research Foundation of the State University of New York,
Downstate Medical Center has helped develop another non-profit organization; BioBAT,
Inc. BioBAT’s goal is to establish the Brooklyn Army Terminal as a site for biotech
expansion and manufacturing. The Brooklyn Army Terminal is a gated, secure (24/7)
complex located on a 97-acre harbor-front campus. The site, which is accessible by
public and private transportation to all New York City medical and research institutions,
is very adaptable for biotech needs.
BioBAT has raised $12.5 million from New York City and $42 million from New York
State to develop the project. In Phase 1 (38,000 sq. ft.), the International AIDS Vaccine
Initiative (IAVI), a Downstate Incubator tenant funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates
2
Foundation, became the anchor tenant in November 2008. The development of an
additional 486,000 sq. ft. of biotech space will occur in phases. This new space can
accommodate graduates of Downstate’s and Columbia’s Biotech Incubators, as well as
more mature biotech companies.
To ensure an appropriate labor force, job-training programs in biotechnology are

underway for graduate students at Downstate and with Hunter College of CUNY for
biotechnology technicians. The biotechnology technician program, which has trained
181 students, includes a workshop, internship and job placement component that is
tailored to New York City’s growing biotechnology industry. This program has been very
well received by students and employers.
While we have made significant progress, we still have much to accomplish. First, I
would like to thank the New York City Council for your past and hopefully future financial
support of the Biotechnology Incubator for early stage companies and the Brooklyn
Army Terminal for biotech expansion and manufacturing. Both are absolutely crucial to
the development of the Biotech industry in NYC. In addition, we need your support for
workforce development programs that prepare our college and graduate students to
work in the biotech industry. Such programs are essential to develop academic and
industry partnerships since they align graduate training with industry needs, encourage
entrepreneurship and help prepare future leaders of the industry.
The Biotech Initiative contributes significantly to New York City by diversifying its
industrial base and by providing educational programs to service this growing industry.
It also serves as an economic engine for jobs, new technologies and helps bring
medical treatments to the marketplace. The development of affordable, state-of-the-art
scientific space for this critically important industry will enable New York City to finally
capitalize on its untapped potential as a world-class center for innovation.

4 Eva Cramer Biotech Suny Downstate

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SUNY Downstate’s Biotechnology Initiative

Testimony of Eva Cramer, Ph.D.

Biotechnology is widely expected to be a major source of economic growth in the 21st

• Construction of a biotech incubator for early-stage companies adjacent to

Downstate Technology Center, Inc., a non-profit organization, oversees the

To ensure an appropriate labor force, job-training programs in biotechnology are

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