$19M Expansion At Biotechnology Center In Buckingham Underway

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Construction began this week on a $19 million expansion of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center in Buckingham Township. The PABC, which is on Old Easton Road next to the Doylestown Airport, has received $4.4 million in state grants from Pennsylvania for the project.

The PABC expansion is also funded by a $4.7 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Agency. The remainder of the costs are financed. The expansion will lead to more jobs, officials there said. The center's founder and CEO estimates more than 100 new jobs could be added as a result of the project.

The project includes a 37,000 square-foot addition, including 15,000 square feet of new laboratory space and a larger main entrance. Other features include more offices, conference rooms, and a 200-seat event space.

Research and development at the facility has produced two new FDA-approved drugs and two new medical devices that are now on the market, with more than 10 new drugs and medical devices in clinical trials, the PABC said.

It also houses a teaching lab and research facilities for biomedical research.

“Entrepreneurs at the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center have produced more than $2 billion in company value, created hundreds of new jobs and launched several publicly traded companies,” Sen. Steve Santarsiero said in a statement announcing the start of the project. “Our state investment not only spurs further economic growth to the area’s biotech sector, but it has the added benefit of helping to save lives and to improve the quality of life for many.”

State funding helped launch the facility in 2006.

Since then, the PABC "has generated many significant innovations in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors that have the potential to benefit human health worldwide," state Rep. Wendy Ullman said.