When it comes to launching a life science enterprise, taking that first big step toward finding or funding a fully-equipped lab can be a daunting and expensive task. University Enterprise Laboratories (UEL) was created to relieve that pressure on entrepreneurial teams.
“The mission of the UEL,” said Henry Larmie, CEO of ChRi Labs, one of UEL’s tenant amenities, “is to facilitate the growth of Minnesota’s next generation of life science and complementary technology companies.”
Larmie represented the UEL in a presentation at SciTech’s Minnesota Science and Technology event in November. His company, ChRi Labs, essentially acts as a contract research organization (CRO) for the UEL.
“We provide resources for clinical research, pharmaceuticals, nutrition, food, and medical devices,” Larmie said. But when it comes to the supply of services available at the University Enterprise Lab, ChRi Labs is just the beginning.
Step into My Laboratory
UEL provides laboratories, office space and entrepreneurial support programs so companies can each focus on growing their technology instead of worrying about tracking down the resources they require.
Resting on the border of St. Paul and Minneapolis, UEL, a non-profit organization, has provided services for the past 13 years. UEL’s R&D facility currently houses 38 tenants within the following fields:
- Early-stage life science research companies
- Pilot-scale formulation companies
- Clinical trial research facilities
- FDA/ CLIA/ DEA registered analytical development and GMP testing
With 30 individual offices and ten conference rooms that can host between four and 250 people, the 134,000 square foot facility includes shared spaces for:
- Autoclaves
- Centrifuges
- Glass washing
- Deionized water systems
- High-end wet labs and dry labs
- Fume-hooded workstations
- Dark rooms
There’s also a 3,700 square-foot ‘Garage,’ an easily-accessible and cost- effective technical development space.
The Scientist’s Guide to Business
Larmie was pleased to share some of the additional resources that extend beyond UEL’s standard science facilities. Business-centered programs, such as a planned Resource in Residence project, are readily available and designed to “provide mentoring and coaching for new entrepreneurs.”
The Resource in Residence project partners with numerous service providers and subject matter experts to guide companies as to how to most effectively utilize essential development resources like:
- SBIR/STTR
- The Small Business Development Center
- SCORE
- Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
- Angel Capital Networks, Venture Capital Groups
- Attorneys/ Patent Attorneys
- Banking Professional etc.
Additional tailored programing is provided and offers UEL tenants access to an assortment of valuable entrepreneurial tools.
Get on Board!
For interested parties and current tenants alike, all are invited to learn about the many new changes at the UEL facility that are positively impacting the trajectory of its tenant companies.
“The doors are open to everybody, and every company,” Larmie said. Regardless of where you land on the commercialization continuum, UEL’s collaborative innovation community is sure to offer something to match your life science enterprise.
With UEL, our holiday Resource Wish-List is complete!
Whether you discovered a new, free, tool or learned how to better leverage a familiar program we hope you found the organizations, companies and resources featured here helpful. These essential resources are thriving, continuing to provide for and supporting the booming Minnesota entrepreneurial system. We’re just doing our part to help spread the word.
About SciTech
SciTech is a free, statewide, state-funded program that connects small Minnesota companies offering paid internships to college students pursuing STEM majors. Employers receive a 50% wage match worth up to $2,500. SciTech will support at least 300 internships in 2017-2018. Learn more and apply at SciTechMN.org or email Program Director Becky Siekmeier at beckys@mhta.org