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January 24, 2023 Bioscience

BioMed X to establish first U.S.-based research institute in New Haven

PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

BioMed X, a biomedical research institute in Germany, is launching its first U.S. facility here in New Haven.

The BioMed X Institute in New Haven will focus on research in the areas of immunology and tissue engineering, according to an announcement.

BioMed X has had an ongoing research collaboration with the Illinois-based pharmaceutical business AbbVie. Their first joint research project, in Germany, focused on Alzheimer’s disease.

Christian Tidona, founder and managing director of BioMed X, said the extension of the partnership with AbbVie to a new site in the United States marks a “big milestone,” for the institute.

“We are grateful to be able to bring our unique innovation model to New Haven and Yale University, one of the top places in the world for groundbreaking discoveries in biomedical research,” Tidona said.

Mark Johnston, a biotech entrepreneur and business leader who recently joined BioMed X, will manage the new local BioMed X Institute.

Johnston, acting head of BioMed X USA, said this week that lease negotiations are still underway, and he therefore could not provide the exact location in the city.

“I can say that all of the options we are looking at will be walkable to Yale’s medical school campus, which is important for us in order to be plugged into the local bio ecosystem,” Johnston said, via email.

BioMed X plans to start its first U.S. research project around September 2023, which is when it will move into the New Haven laboratory space, according to Johnston.

It is expected to mean more local jobs. BioMed X intends to start out with a staff of six full-time equivalent positions, plus two part-time staffers for its project with AbbVie. Whenever it brings on a new project, it will add approximately the same level of additional staffing for each project, Johnston said. 

The company picked New Haven because of the proximity to Yale School of Medicine, with access to its facilities and expert staff. The location is also affordable and close to its pharmaceutical partners, according to Johnston.

“One other very important factor was the open arms we received from the teams at Yale Ventures, Advance CT, BIO CT, the city of New Haven, and the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), just to name a few,” Johnston said. “All have been extremely supportive and responsive and really solidified the decision to make New Haven and Connecticut our No. 1 choice.”

Josh Geballe, managing director at Yale Ventures, said, “We welcome BioMed X to our biosciences community and appreciate the opportunities this alliance ushers in, including cooperation with international industry partners and networking with the European biotech ecosystem.”

BioMed X was founded a decade ago at the University of Heidelberg. BioMed X Institute scientists focus on solving challenges in biomedical research in collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry.

Timothy Radstake, executive director and head of early immunology discovery at AbbVie, said, “AbbVie is encouraged by the potential of this collaboration with BioMed X to change the paradigm in drug discovery and expand the understanding of human disease biology.” 

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.

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