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n the heart of Natick, Massachusetts, ABI-LAB has unveiled its third facility, a 35,000 SF hub that brings the total area under its umbrella to 112,000 SF. This bio-incubator and accelerator is revolutionizing the life sciences landscape by providing a shared services model that fosters innovation and collaboration.
Located in a prime position within Massachusetts' thriving life science sector, ABI-LAB offers tenants access to cutting-edge facilities, including innovation labs equipped with advanced instruments, deionized water, CO2, gas, backup generators, and HVAC for BL1 and BL2 applications. This setup enables startups to focus on their research without the burden of infrastructure costs.
The facility is designed to support a wide range of disciplines, from immunology and oncology to regenerative medicine, diagnostics, and precision medicine. The build-to-suit dedicated laboratories, ranging from 900-2,500 SF, provide tenants with the flexibility they need to thrive.
Despite the pandemic's impact on venture capital funding in Boston's life sciences sector, current VC activity has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with Massachusetts and San Francisco emerging as the top two markets for venture capital financing. The Mass Leads Act, signed by Governor Maura Healey in November 2024, is expected to inject confidence and capital into the industry.
Bio-incubators like ABI-LAB play a vital role in supporting fledgling firms during periods of economic volatility. "Massachusetts is the global hub of life science innovation, thanks to our robust ecosystem," said Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. "Through the Mass Leads Act, we're reinvesting in the tools and resources necessary to support growth in this vital industry."
ABI-LAB's shared services model has yielded impressive results since 2022, with tenants raising over $2B in early-stage funding and $1.3B in late-stage funding. The incubator has also created or brought over 400 consistent jobs to Natick through its tenant companies, while graduate companies have generated an additional 1,000 jobs.
Twenty percent of ABI-LAB's tenants are international companies that have chosen the facility as their US headquarters. "Our focus is on supporting solutions for thousands of patients," said Gary Kaufman, COO. To mark the building's completion, a $10,000 donation was presented to MassBay Community College's STEM program, underscoring ABI-LAB's commitment to giving back to the community.
