The brand new 30,000 square foot Northern Virginia (NOVA) Bioscience Center is coming to Innovation Park in January 2022. With this investment, Prince William County continues to promote life science infrastructure and the larger biotech industry. This center will support collaboration and cooperation in research between universities, companies, and government facilities.
In addition to lab space for rent, the center offers shared equipment, conference rooms, free business growth support, and a collaborative life science community. Here are four more reasons the NOVA Bioscience Center is perfect for companies looking for a National Capital Region lab space:
1. The Location
Located in Innovation Park, at 9370 Discovery Boulevard, the center offers the opportunity to collaborate with the George Mason University Science and Technology Campus, including access to graduate students and interns. Bioscience neighbors include ATCC, Corning Life Sciences, and the Prince William Science Accelerator.
The NOVA Bioscience Center is strategically located for convenient research communication with easy access to Washington, D.C., and the Maryland I-270 Biotech Corridor. Nearby recreational activities include breweries, event venues, restaurants, and scenic walking trails
“With the FDA, NIH, DOD and other federal agencies in our backyard...Prince William County [is] a great the place to be. There are jobs, there is space and a critical mass of people that want to work together.” – Amy Adams, Executive Director, Institute for Biohealth Innovation at George Mason University.
2. The Amenities
The NOVA Bioscience Center is dedicated to a high-quality experience for fostering discoveries and growth. The center will offer companies Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratories, designed to handle research in pharmaceutical deliveries, immunotherapy, cancer-causing agents and more. The Class A facility will feature 15 labs, all furnished with cutting-edge equipment and collaborative work space.
The suite sizes will be flexible. The smallest suites start at 980 square feet and each one includes an office space. All workspaces will have up-to-date equipment, including a fume hood. The suites will also have access to critical shared equipment, including an autoclave, ice machine, and glass wash.
3. The Community Is Already Engaged
The construction of the NOVA Bioscience Center will be completed in January 2022, and the life science community already exists. With regular get-togethers and opportunities to network and learn, the PWC life science community is collaborative and innovative. Tenants are already lining up for use of the facility, and Prince William County is helping companies sign leases.
Prince William County knows laboratory space is often too expensive for companies that are just starting up or are mid-size. The cost per square foot for BSL 2 space can be difficult for smaller companies to build and maintain. The NOVA Bioscience center provides a unique opportunity for the mid-size companies who need wet lab space. The goal is to help smaller life science companies enter and stay in the Northern Virginia economy.
“Prince William’s IGNITE Program offers grants to high-growth and startup companies, including research facilities. The state of Virginia offers GO Virginia grants as well as other incentives through their economic development department.” – Austin Haynes, Sr. Vice President of Development, Holladay Properties
4. At Its Heart, It Is A Passion Project
The NOVA Bioscience Center has been in the works for several years. It has taken a clear vision and constant collaboration to bring the building to fruition. The goal has always been to foster the life science industry and bring more high-growth job opportunities to the region.
This new infrastructure has many benefits that help the local economy and community, and the project is led by those that fully believe in its impact. The hope is for the center to be a hub for those in life sciences to collaborate and grow.
“By bringing the Northern Virginia Bioscience Center to Innovation Park we are really setting up the next progressive stage for expansion and collaboration.” – Christina Winn, Executive Director, Prince William County Department of Economic Development.
Next Steps
For more information on this project, contact the Department of Economic Development via email at econdev@pwcgov.org, phone at (703) 792-5500, or fax at (703) 792-5502.
