Frequently Asked Questions Media contact: Caroline A. Grossman 781.771.5579 [email protected] What is LabCentral? A 28,000 square-foot facility in the heart of the , Cambridge, biotech innovation hub, LabCentral is a first-of-its-kind shared laboratory space designed as a launchpad for high-potential life-sciences and biotech startups. It offers fully permitted laboratory and office space for early-stage companies comprising approximately 125 scientists and entrepreneurs. LabCentral provides first-class facility and administrative support, skilled laboratory personnel, a domain-relevant expert speaker series ‒ as well as the other critical services and support that startups need to begin laboratory operations on day one. A private, nonprofit institution, LabCentral was funded in part by a $5 million grant from the Life Sciences Center (MLSC), with support from its real-estate partner, MIT. Founding sponsors include Triumvirate Environmental and Johnson & Johnson Innovation. We have leveraged the MLSC funding to bring in nearly $20 million in additional donations of cash, state-of-the-art equipment, and in-kind services. Lab operations launched officially in November 2014. Today, 28 startups are in residence, and collectively they have raised more than $100 million in venture capital and other sources of funding. When was LabCentral founded? LabCentral was incorporated in September 2012, began accepting applications from startups in July What is its current staffing? 2013, and opened its doors on November 1, 2013. Today, LabCentral staff includes: Johannes Fruehauf president, co-founder Sandy Redd facilities manager Peter Parker director of programming, co-founder Thierry Leclerc lab service specialist Margaret O’Toole vice president, operations Patrick Tucker IT associate Celina Chang associate director, lab operations Megan Keegan purchasing assistant Krista Licata operations manager Clancy Steele office assistant Abby Johnson accounting manager Ashley Patterson office assistant How many lab bench and office spaces are avail- There is a monthly per-person membership fee of $400. The fully equipped co-working lab and office area able? What is the pricing? features 30 individual bench spots and 22 lab desks, each for $3,600 and $400 per month, respectively. Eight private lab suites accommodating up to eight employees are available for $14,000 to $16,000 per month. The monthly fee for 18 private offices ranges from $900 to $2,450. What comes standard with a LabCentral space A LabCentral space contract provides fully functional lab space, permits, waste handling, plus all contract? reasonably common lab equipment for bioresearch. Access to conference rooms and event space, kitchens, etc. is also included. In addition, LabCentral hosts a large amount of programming specific to the interests of life-sciences startups. Participants can start productive experimental work the day they move into LabCentral and take part in an unmatched hub of biotech activity. What instrumentation/equipment is available? LabCentral is equipped with all the latest instruments/equipment necessary for life-science research, including microscopes, real-time qPCR, HPLC, freezers, centrifuges, flow cytometry, chemical hoods, biosafety cabinets and incubators, including BSL-2-rated suites, automated equipment, plate readers, and more. Residents reserve equipment and conference room space through an on-line reservation tool. They also have full access to Mispro Biotech Services’ world-class vivarium facility, steps away from LabCentral, to conduct preclinical and in vivo studies. What other services/benefits are available to Group purchasing is available, as well as other programs where pooled access reduces costs. Companies tenants? may also contract for separate office space, as well as for technical, business, and scientific contract research organization (CRO) support services. Is there a time limit for how long scientists can Agreements are for two years, but companies can leave without penalty with 30-days’ notice. remain in the lab space? In order to create space for a steady stream of cutting-edge startups, companies must re-apply to the screening committee after two years to ensure continued compatibility with LabCentral’s mission. Companies that exceed LabCentral’s funding and revenue maximums will no longer be eligible. What is the process for becoming a LabCentral Admission is through a competitive review process where only the highest-potential startups are selected. participant? LabCentral began reviewing applications from in July 2013. The process starts with a short form on the LabCentral website. Following submission, the LabCentral team interviews applicants to finalize their candidacy and ensure consistency with LabCentral’s mission. Accepted candidates are invited back to choose an appropriate space and finalize terms of a contract. What are the criteria for acceptance? LabCentral accepts high-potential applicants consistent with its mission to create the next generation of powerhouse biotech companies. In keeping with the MLSC’s guidance to support the entrepreneurial, early-stage activities of true startup companies, LabCentral is unlikely to accept applicants that have already raised more than $7.5 million of capital or those that have trailing 12-month revenue of more than $3 million.

For more information: www.labcentral.org | [email protected] | 1.617.863.3650 What are your expectations for how soon LabCen- The interest in LabCentral has been extraordinary; the acceptance rate is about 20%. LabCentral’s existing tral space will be filled; will there be a waiting list; footprint comprises 28,000 square feet of space in a MIT-owned building in Kendall Square, Cambridge. is there room for expansion? We have an option on additional space of similar size. Our original projection was to be fully occupied within three years; however, we already have a waiting list for open spaces. Clearly, there is a significant need for such a facility for the life-sciences startup community. On April 2, 2014, Governor Patrick and the MLSC announced an additional $5 million capital grant to double the size of LabCentral. LabCentral will be expanding to a space on site in approximately two years. In the meantime, LabCentral expects to open temporary expansion facilities nearby in the Kendall Square area. How does the LabCentral offering differ from other LabCentral is the premier shared laboratory for startups in the Boston area. The level of equipment shared laboratory space in Massachusetts? provided and services available, as well as location are differentiators to existing facilities. Is LabCentral a CLIA lab? No. However, companies are free to work on obtaining CLIA approval or other certifications for their operations if housed in one of the private labs. What is LabCentral’s current financial circumstanc- LabCentral is on solid financial footing due to the backing of the MLSC and our other sponsors. We es; do you need to raise additional funds? are looking to add additional corporate sponsors, which will allow us to continue to improve the user experience, but we expect to become self-sustaining within three to five years. Who are LabCentral’s founding partners? Johannes Fruehauf (Cambridge Biolabs), Peter Parker (BioInnovation LLC), and Tim Rowe (Cambridge Innovation Center) created LabCentral based on their own experiences as entrepreneurs and that of countless others who have spent precious time and resources searching for and equipping appropriate startup lab space. Who are your current sponsors to date? Founding: Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, Triumvirate Environmental, Johnson & Johnson (as of December 12, 2014) Innovation Platinum: Amgen; Edwards Wildman Palmer, LLP; Life Technologies Corporation; , Inc.Gold: American Laboratory Trading, Inc.; Cooley, LLP; Cushman & Wakefield; Eppendorf North America; Foley & Lardner LLP; Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research; Roche; VWR International, LLC Real-estate partner: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Additional sponsors: Alexandria Real Estate; Ambit Creative; BioTek Instruments, Inc.; Kendall Press; Knome, Inc.; LabCloud, Inc.; LI-COR Biosciences, New England BioLabs, Inc., Silicon Valley Bank; Steady Vision; Union Office Interiors. LabCentral continues to seek industry partners to fund startup and program costs through a variety of sponsorship opportunities and donations of capital equipment. Who are the affiliate institutions and what is their LabCentral is working with affiliate institutions, Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio), role? California-based QB3, and the MassChallenge, to share ideas about best practices and collaborate to expand opportunities for our respective clients. Who serves on your board of directors? Johannes Fruehauf, MD, PhD President, Co-Founder Life-sciences entrepreneur; CEO, Cambridge Biolabs & ViThera Pharma; Co-founder, Cequent Pharmaceuticals Tim Rowe Chairman, Director, Co-Founder Startup expert; CEO, Cambridge Innovation Center; Venture Partner, New Atlantic Ventures Peter Parker Director, Co-Founder Life-sciences investor; CEO, BioInnovation; General Partner, Ampersand Ventures; Founder, Boston Heart Diagnostics; CEO, Cequent Pharmaceuticals, Deltix John Harthorne Director Startup expert, CEO, MassChallenge; Bain & Company Steve Tregay Director CEO, Forma Therapeutics; Novartis Venture Fund; Novartis Strategic Alliances Who serves on your board of advisors? Noubar Afeyan, PhD Founder & Managing Partner, Flagship Ventures; Applera; Celera Genomics Jim Barrett Partner and co-chair, Private Equity and Venture Capital Group at Edwards Wildman Palmer, LLP Desh Deshpande, PhD Founder/CEO, Sycamore Networks; Creator of the Deshpande Center at MIT Baruch Harris , PhD Head, Advanced Commercial Capabilities, Forum Pharmaceuticals; Fidelity Biosciences; Enlight Biosciences; Novartis; McKinsey & Company Mark Levin Founder, Millennium Pharmaceuticals; Founder & Managing Partner, Third Rock Ventures Greg Rosinski Senior Manager, Life Sciences at Triumvirate Environmental Susie Truong Harborth Co-founder, BioInnovation LLC; CFO GnuBio Inc. Robert Urban, PhD Head, Boston Innovation Center Can I visit LabCentral? Tours are held Tuesdays at 11 am, Thursdays at 3 pm, with sign-up available at www.labcentral.org.

Updated 12.29.14

For more information: www.labcentral.org | [email protected] | 1.617.863.3650