The University City Science Center does not slow down for the holidays. In the last week, it has announced a a new coworking space for emerging startup companies and a new round of funding for its QED Proof of Concept program.
The new coworking space, dubbed the Bullpen, is located inside the Science Center's Port Business Incubator (3711 Market St.) and already has its first "pitcher" in Belgium-based Biologistics Consulting. The Bullpen offers relief from expensive office space in the form of desks, phone, and high-speed Wi-Fi, plus a convenient location in the heart of University City.
In addition, says Science Center President and CEO Stephen Tang, "Bullpen residents have access to the same services and programs offered to all the residents of our Port Business Incubator."
Biologistics Consulting, which is a participant in the Science Center's Global Soft Landing Program, isn't the only Belgian company at the Port Business Incubator. Arlenda Inc., which facilitates risk-based decision making for pharmaceutical- and vaccine-makers, has moved into office space at the incubator, working closely with local universities, CHOP and Merck, to name a few.
On Monday, three first-time recipients of $200,000 each were announced for the Science Center's QED program, which aims to facilitate commercial investment in early stage and high-potential life science technologies.
Funding went to Philadelphia University for a new biocidal textile technology to address the high-incidence of hospital acquired infections.
Thomas Jefferson University won funding for the first clinically reliable test for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the primary form of pancreatic cancer.
Also, Lehigh University in Bethlehem received funding for a portable medical oxygen concentrator for patients with lung disease.
Source: Jeanne Mell, University City Science Center
Writer: Joe Petrucci