The Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority today announced plans for an $8 million expansion of its Bioscience Park, which is designed to house start-up biotech businesses.
The authority said in a statement it will add a 37,000-square-foot “accelerator” facility.
“The new accelerator space will be leased to companies in the modest growth stage,” said Denise Brown, the authority’s interim executive director.
There are five companies from the biopark’s incubator facility that are negotiating leases for the accelerator facility, said Vicki Jenings, an authority spokeswoman.
“These are companies that are ready to take the next step and in a financial position to take long-term leases,” Jenings said.
The companies are developing a range of therapeutic, diagnostic and medical devices products, Jenings said.
Jenings declined to identify the companies since the leases are still under negotiation.
In addition to the local companies, the authority is also discussing leases with several out-of-state companies, Jenings said.
Companies moving to the accelerator will sign three- to five-year leases for $19 a square foot.
In the incubator facility, generic laboratory and office space is available from 700-square-feet to 2,500 square-feet for a lease as short as one year.
The accelerator building will provide custom space of 1,500 square-feet to 10,000 square-feet for its tenant companies, Jenings said.
The aim of the new three-story building is to give its tenants:
The facility should be able handle the expected 10 to 12 University of Colorado spin-off companies coming out of the university annually, Jenings said.
Mark Jaffe: 303-954-1912 or MJaffe@denverpost.com
