Boston SF - February 2, 2009

U.S. Genomics Extends Nearly 40,000 sf Lease
Boston SF

U.S. Genomics renewed its nearly 40,000 square foot lease of combined office and lab space at 12 Gill Street, Woburn with Cummings Properties.

U.S. Genomics is pioneering single molecule biology technologies for diagnostics and biodefense applications. Using its DNA mapping technology, U.S. Genomics is developing sophisticated biological sensors for the detection and identification of pathogens and biomarkers in the air and other biologically relevant materials. U.S. Genomics’ biodefense focus on airborne pathogens has been funded in part by contracts from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

In September, U.S. Genomics announced it received a $4.5 million equity investment from BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company). The companies have entered into a strategic collaboration for development of a novel infectious disease diagnostic platform that has the potential to provide information to physicians concerning pathogen identity, virulence and drug resistance within hours, as opposed to the multi-day techniques such as culturing, plating and staining that are done today.

U.S. Genomics is part of Cummings Properties’ Gill Street Life Sciences Cluster, which is home to more than two dozen life sciences firms.

Marc Knittle, key accounts manager, and Tony Spencer, a leasing/property manager, represented Cummings Properties in the lease renewal. Spencer remarked, “This area’s reputation as a center for biotech development continues to grow. We are pleased that one of our larger life science firms has found this area so well-suited to its needs.” Knittle added that the benefits of the Gill Street Life Sciences Cluster include affordable space, ample free parking and close proximity to Interstate 95/Route 128.