GOV. MALLOY: CONNECTICUT INVESTMENT IN BIOSCIENCE CONTINUES TO PAY DIVIDENDS
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Launching New State-of-the-Art
Genomics Research Center in Branford, Will Create 142 Jobs
Yesterday, Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced that a new, state-of-the
art genomics research facility is being established in Branford by the
renowned Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai, a leader
in biomedical research, medical and scientific training and patient care,
is expanding into Connecticut and anticipates creating 142 new full time
jobs over the next five years.
“We are investing in industry leaders like the Icahn School of Medicine
at Mount Sinai so that Connecticut can continue to compete and win in
the 21st Century economy,” said Governor Malloy. “Beyond the
economic growth and good paying jobs with good benefits that the field
of bioscience generates, advancements in the research, development and
discovery of cutting-edge new personalized medicine offers hope to people
with serious illnesses and means a better quality of life for people around
the world. We are proud of the bioscience cluster we are building with
top institutions leading the way and conducting this important work right
here in Connecticut.”
As part of the State of Connecticut’s strategic economic development
plan, the Malloy administration is targeting the bioscience industry in
order to position Connecticut as a global destination for the research,
development and commercialization of leading scientific work that will
improve health and wellbeing.
“Our new state-of-the-art genomics facility in Branford enables us
to rapidly run high throughput, DNA sequencing of large volumes of patient
samples, and will leverage the multimillion dollar investment made by
Mount Sinai to advance the new era of genomic medicine. With this extraordinary
new capability, we expect to rapidly advance our translational research
findings and development of new clinical tests in major disease areas
such as cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s,” said Eric Schadt,
Ph.D., the Jean C. and James W. Crystal Professor of Genomics at the Icahn
School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Founding Director of the Icahn
Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology. “Connecticut offers
an incredible talent pool of biomedical expertise and leading institutions
such as Yale, UConn Health, and Jackson Labs that we hope to form significant
collaborations with. We thank Governor Malloy and the Connecticut DECD
for their phenomenal support and partnership to help accelerate our growth.”
The state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is providing
a $9.5 million low-interest loan in support of the project, which will
include the new 16,500 square foot laboratory in Branford. If Icahn School
of Medicine at Mount Sinai achieves the job creation milestones set for
the project, the loan provides forgiveness provisions of up to $7.25 million.
“I appreciate the commitment that Governor Malloy is making to Branford
and to the needs of our local taxpayers,” said Branford First Selectman
James B. Cosgrove. “Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is an
important new employer in our Town and this funding commitment by the
State is key to their ability to expand jobs here.”
“This is a significant step in building the biosciences, not only
here in this region but throughout the state -- that is a part of our
economic future,” said State Senator Ed Meyer (D-12).
“We enthusiastically welcome the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai to Branford! This new biomedical research facility strengthens Connecticut's
standing as a center of genomics research and complements the other strategic
investments we have made in medical research,” said State Rep. Patricia
Widlitz (D-98). “DNA sequencing is the key to advancing personalized
medicine and future cures for so many devastating diseases. Congratulations
to Governor Malloy and the DECD team for bringing this world renowned
facility to the shoreline!”
“The genomics research facility being built in Branford by the Icahn
School of Medicine at Mount Sinai provides further proof that Connecticut
is the place to be for bioscience innovation,” said State Rep. Lonnie
Reed (D-102). “Our state is quickly achieving the kind of critical
mass needed to attract more complimentary companies, grow more jobs and
save more lives. I applaud Governor Malloy for all he has done to recruit
and incentivize this sector. Connecticut has what it takes to be a national
and international hub for bioscience and technology and I could not be
happier that Branford is playing such an important role.”
“The addition of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai facility
in the state is another big win in our long range plan to strengthen and
expand our bioscience sector,” said DECD Commissioner Catherine
Smith. “We are creating a critical mass of industry leaders in the
state – great organizations like Yale, UConn Health, Jackson Labs
and now, Mount Sinai. The interplay between these important and growing
industry players will help create a robust ecosystem that will help drive
Connecticut’s economy for decades to come.”
Genomic research is transforming the field of medicine from an approach
that applies broad definitions based on collections of observed symptoms
and clinical findings to one that harnesses sophisticated predictive models
of disease built with specific genetic and molecular information measured
in individual patients. Genomic Medicine is a new approach to improve
healthcare by analyzing massive data arrays obtained from genetic sequencing
of individual DNA, RNA, blood, tumor, and other samples – using
specialized supercomputers and cutting edge algorithms. This wealth of
information can define a patient’s condition with unprecedented
precision and enable unique treatments tailored to each patient’s
situation. Such unique treatments designed for specific patients increase
efficacy, reduce side effects and unintended outcomes, and enable individuals
– in consultation with their personal physician – to take
steps to mitigate or avoid illness and maximize quality of life.
Founded in 1963 in New York City, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai is now a world leader in driving the new era of Genomic Medicine
to better diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. Mount Sinai’s existing
Genetic Testing Laboratory in New York grew by 150 percent from 2010 to
2013, setting the stage for this much needed expansion