Local biopharmaceutical companies Aronora and AbSci announced as first client companies in multi-tenant bioscience complex to open spring 2013
PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Translational Research and Development Institute (OTRADI) announces local companies Aronora and AbSci as the first clients of the OTRADI Bioscience Incubator (OBI), Oregon’s first and only bioscience-specific accelerator for technology and science companies.
Biopharmaceutical companies Aronora and AbSci will join OTRADI and several others in the 13,000 square-foot bioscience complex when it opens in Portland’s Willamette Wharf building located at 4640 SW Macadam Avenue later this spring.
“Aronora and AbSci are promising bioscience companies that have already demonstrated measurable growth and achieved great success in the short time they’ve been operating,” said OTRADI Executive Director Jennifer Fox. “We’re thrilled to welcome them to the OBI, and we’re eager to help them achieve the next phase of company growth and development.”
To date, roughly 50 percent of the OBI space has already been leased or reserved. Fox will continue to seek additional tenants and expects to fill the space by May. Together, Aronora and AbSci will occupy 25 percent of the space.
Founded in 2007, Aronora is engaged in the development of antithrombotic drugs that reduce the development of life-threatening blood clots without the detrimental bleeding side effects that characterize current antithrombotic drugs on the market. Aronora will utilize the OBI’s professional network and expert staff to grow its company.
“The OBI’s proximity to OHSU and other health and sciences businesses will allow Aronora to expand its professional network immensely,” said Aronora CEO Andras Gruber. “A wide-reaching network and invaluable expertise make the OBI a natural choice in helping get our company to the next phase of expansion.”
Founded in 2011, AbSci developed a technology that efficiently produces therapeutic proteins and antibodies at a fraction of their current cost. The company plans to utilize the OBI’s shared lab equipment and OTRADI’s expertise to guide its next phase of development.
“AbSci is looking forward to being surrounded by great, inspiring minds that will be calling OBI home,” said AbSci CEO Sean McClain. “The OBI’s focused, innovative culture will guide our company and the bioscience community as a whole to prosper here in Oregon.”
OBI tenants will join OTRADI for a grand-opening event in May to formally unveil the space and to announce remaining details. For more information about the OBI, visit http://www.otradi.org/incubator.html.
ABOUT OTRADI
Since its launch in 2007, Oregon Translational Research and Development Institute (OTRADI) has been dedicated to broad-based bioscience research, with an emphasis on industry growth and job creation in Oregon. OTRADI achieves these goals through strategic partnerships with businesses and universities to discover, develop and commercialize drugs, diagnostics, medical devices and other bioscience products. OTRADI is partially funded by a legislative allocation to Oregon Innovation Council (Oregon Inc.) and is administered by the Oregon Business Development Department (OBDD). http://www.otradi.org