Chiesi sponsorship of BioLabs set to boost rare disease innovation

Deal grants Chiesi Global Rare Diseases access to network of coworking facilities

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by Andrea Lobo, PhD |

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A sponsorship deal that grants Chiesi Global Rare Diseases access to BioInnovation Labs (BioLabs)’ network of life sciences coworking facilities in the U.S. is expected to help empower rare disease science and innovation.

Under the sponsorship, Chiesi will be able to provide office hours, workshops, or other events for companies using BioLabs-sponsored sites and engage with those providing innovative solutions for patients.

“With our global rare diseases division headquartered in the research hub of Boston, we are in an ideal location to serve as a preferred partner for early-stage companies in this region and beyond, particularly to those that are investigating new modalities,” Giacomo Chiesi, head of Chiesi Global Rare Diseases, said in a company press release. “We are glad to establish this important sponsorship of BioLabs, with locations not only in the Boston area but many other growing ecosystems, as we aim to identify and advance the development of new medicines.”

Chiesi recently set up its strategic innovation unit to seek out and evaluate new therapeutic approaches by academic and research institutes along with startups and early-stage biotech companies for rare diseases such as Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS).

Chiesi is an international, research-focused pharma group aimed at developing new therapeutic solutions in respiratory health, rare diseases, and specialty care.

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A certified benefit corporation, or B Corp, in Italy, U.S., and France, Chiesi aims for high standards of social and environmental impact, with the goal of becoming net-zero by 2035.

“As a family business, and as a certified Benefit Corporation, we have a long history of commitment to the rare disease community and will continue to reinvest in scientific research and innovation,” Chiesi said.

BioLabs is an international, membership-based network of fully equipped shared lab and office facilities to provide startups with the infrastructure and equipment to build their biotechs.

Members have access to leading industry partners, from big pharma to life science tools, and essential business servers to guide startups toward becoming biotech companies. It has 12 facilities across North America and four other sites in France, Germany, and Japan.

“Our mission is to foster innovation and empower entrepreneurship by providing early-stage companies access to a powerful network of partners and mentors, and best-in-class lab space and essential lab services,” said Veena Krishnappa, PhD, BioLabs’ senior director of pharma partnerships and business insights. “Our residents’ success relies on the support of global organizations like Chiesi, with their commitment to the principles of science and entrepreneurship, and their focus on nurturing a robust pipeline of groundbreaking scientific research.”

The new sponsorship will include two vouchers per year, awarded by Chiesi, giving coworking lab and office privileges that can be transferred to new or residing startups at BioLabs facilities.