• Baltimore Secures First Tenants and Adds Staff Ahead of December Launch
  • Phoenix Nears Full Capacity, Serving as a Thriving Hub for Life Sciences Innovation
  • Sacramento Names Site Director to Lead New Connect Labs Location Opening at Aggie Square
  • Charlotte Announced as Fourth Location, Bringing Connect Labs’ Collaborative Model to the Southeast
Source: Press Release | November 6, 2024

Wexford Science & Technology, LLC today announced that Connect Labs by Wexford, its flexible, scale-in-place lab and innovation infrastructure offering, continues to gain momentum as it adds team members, attracts new tenants, and opens additional locations, creating a growing network of innovation hubs.

“With Connect Labs by Wexford, we’re creating more than just lab space; we’re building a network of vibrant innovation ecosystems where companies and researchers can accelerate their discoveries,” said Thomas Osha, Executive Vice President, Wexford Science & Technology. “By expanding Connect Labs within our Knowledge Communities, we’re providing access to a uniquely collaborative environment that fosters the connections and resources innovators need to bring transformative ideas to life and move them forward to market,” Osha added.

Located within Wexford’s dynamic and amenity-rich Knowledge Communities, Connect Labs by Wexford is intentionally designed for innovative companies, entrepreneurs, and researchers, who are looking for a ’ready-now’ environment that can help advance their discoveries along the commercialization and capitalization pathway.

Designed to meet the rigorous demands of today’s life sciences, engineering, technology, and other innovative sectors, Connect Labs leverages Wexford’s Knowledge Community environment to foster both planned and spontaneous collaboration. These purpose-built facilities create unique opportunities for innovators to connect and develop groundbreaking approaches and technologies that improve the human condition.

Baltimore Secures First Tenants and Adds Staff Ahead of December Launch

The University of Maryland, Baltimore partnered with Wexford to establish the Baltimore location of Connect Labs by Wexford to provide much needed flexible lab spaces and support resources, not only to UMB start-ups, but for companies across the region.

A mix of lab configurations, support and office spaces that can be arranged to suit specific needs from 500 square feet to over 2,000 square feet are available to university and regional startups, capital providers, corporate innovation teams, teams focused on advancing healthy equity, and value-added services providers.

Set to open in Wexford’s newest building – 4MLK – in December, Connect Labs Baltimore has signed its first tenant, Irazu Oncology, a start-up company, founded by successful serial entrepreneur, Marco Chacon, that is developing a superior vaccine platform to improve clinical outcomes for cancer patients.

“We’re thrilled to bring Irazu Oncology to Connect Labs Baltimore, where we’ll be surrounded by a vibrant community of like-minded innovators,” said Dr. Marco Chacón, founder of Irazu Oncology. “Connect Labs provides the collaborative environment and cutting-edge resources that are essential for advancing our cancer vaccine platform, and we look forward to contributing to and growing with this extraordinary network of biotech pioneers.”

In addition to Irazu Oncology, Emerging Technology Center (ETC) Baltimore along with two of their portfolio companies will be housed at Connect Labs Baltimore.  ETC will be offering Venture Advisory Services, hosting community events, and running a Venture Studio and Growth Fund to support entrepreneurs and spur economic development in Baltimore.

To support the needs of incoming tenants at Connect Labs Baltimore, Wexford has appointed Shaneil Turnbull as Director of Lab Operations. Shaneil will work alongside Baltimore Site Director Mark VanderZyl to prepare for the facility’s opening in December 2024.

With over 20 years of experience, Shaneil brings a wealth of expertise to her role. She has an extensive background in managing CLIA-certified laboratories and has led the development of training programs, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), lab safety protocols, and regulatory inspections, ensuring high standards of compliance and operational excellence.

“I’m excited to join Connect Labs Baltimore and to help create a world-class environment where our tenants can innovate and thrive,” said Shaneil Turnbull, Director of Lab Operations. “With the resources and infrastructure we’re building, Connect Labs will be a place where companies have the support they need to focus on their groundbreaking work, knowing that their lab and operational needs are met to the highest standard.”

Phoenix Nears Full Capacity, Serving as a Thriving Hub for Life Sciences Innovation

Phoenix’s premier flexible lab and innovation community, Connect Labs by Wexford Phoenix located on the Phoenix Bioscience Core at 850 PBC is nearing capacity.

Just over 24 months since opening, Connect Labs Phoenix is now 87% leased and houses 23 companies. Six of those companies have moved into Connect Labs in recent weeks, occupying dynamic lab and office space as they continue to scale their companies.

  • MiiHealth is a Mayo Clinic-ASU MedTech Accelerator company that utilizes a voice-based conversational AI in healthcare, to elevate patient care and boost health outcomes directly from home
  • Healthscope An all-in-one mobile lab solution that performs blood draws and process samples right in the patient’s home
  • FAKnostics is a University of Arizona spinout developing next generation drugs that inhibit tumor growth through targeting certain protein-protein interactions
  • Blue Water Orthodontics is a start-up producing organic non-toxic toothpaste
  • Lychee Biosciences is a University of Arizona spinout specializing in research and development in the field of plant-based medicine
  • Airobes is an Arizona State Univeresity spinout developing the scalable technology for bioengineered carbon removal and reuse

“The strong growth at Connect Labs Phoenix reflects the thriving demand for flexible, innovation-focused lab space in the Greater Phoenix ecosystem”, said Kyle Jardine, Wexford’s vice president and market executive. “In just two years, Connect Labs Phoenix has become a dynamic home to 23 groundbreaking companies, and our nearly full capacity demonstrates the strength of our community and the incredible advances happening here. We’re excited to continue supporting these innovators with the resources and collaborative environment they need to scale their impact, he continued.”

Sacramento Names Founding Site Director to Lead New Connect Labs Location Opening at Aggie Square

Wexford has hired Nichole (Nikki) Sims to serve as the founding site director of the Sacramento location of Connect Labs by Wexford set to open in March 2025 at Wexford’s Knowledge Community, Aggie Square.

A well-known innovator within Sacramento, Nikki joins Connect Labs from Growth Factory where she managed portfolio companies and strategic relationships, driving growth in health and life science sectors.

“I’m honored to join Connect Labs at Aggie Square and to lead the development of a place where Sacramento’s brightest innovators can grow and thrive,” said Nichole (Nikki) Sims, founding site director of Connect Labs Sacramento. “Sacramento is continuing to evolve as a hub for innovation, and we’re excited to provide a state-of-the-art, collaborative environment that meets the technical and operational needs of today’s life sciences and technology pioneers. By fostering connections and resources that fuel discovery, we aim to help transform groundbreaking ideas into impactful solutions.”

Nikki will begin her new role on November 12, 2024, where she will lead the operation of the more than 50,000 square feet of pre-built and furnished lab, support, and office space with a curated set of amenities, services, and shared equipment.

Located on the second floor of 200 and 300 Aggie Square, Connect Labs Sacramento will offer a mix of wet and dry lab configurations that can be arranged to suit specific needs from 450 square feet to over 5,600 square feet with additional office and support spaces that include 36 private offices and 81 open workstations.

Moreover, Connect Labs members will have access to over $1.2 million in specialized shared equipment; negotiated rates on additional equipment, consumables, and supplies; exclusive Connect Labs community events; and common amenities such as conference and huddle spaces, basic office equipment, a lightly stocked kitchen, and centralized support services provided by a knowledgeable staff.

The inaugural mix of Connect Labs Sacramento tenants are currently being recruited. Connect Labs plans to house university and regional startups, capital providers, corporate innovation teams, teams focused on advancing healthy equity, and value-added services providers.

Charlotte Announced as Fourth Location, Bringing Connect Labs’ Collaborative Model to the Southeast

Wexford will open the fourth location of Connect Labs within their Knowledge Community, The Pearl, in Charlotte, North Carolina, in October 2025. The new 30,000-square-foot facility will offer pre-built, fully furnished lab, office, and support spaces, tailored to meet the needs of emerging and growth-stage companies in life sciences, technology, robotics, and data science.

The Pearl is a partnership between Atrium Health and Wexford Science & Technology to develop a multi-phased, mixed-use community featuring office, lab, retail, residential, community gathering and academic spaces. The first phase of the District will be anchored by Charlotte’s first four-year medical school, Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte as well as the North American headquarters of IRCAD, the French-based research and training institute for the world’s finest surgeons.

“We’re thrilled to expand Connect Labs’ footprint with our fourth location in Charlotte, a city rapidly emerging as a hub for medical innovation and technology,” said Kathy Webb, Wexford’s vice president Connect Labs. “This new facility will offer companies in the life sciences, technology, and robotics industries the flexibility and resources they need to grow and succeed. We look forward to working alongside Atrium Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine Charlotte, IRCAD North America and others, by providing world-class lab and office space that fosters collaboration, innovation, and real-world impact.”

Located on the seventh floor of 905 Pearl Park Way, Connect Labs Charlotte will feature both wet and dry lab spaces ranging from 300 to 2,500 square feet. The facility will also include 11 private offices and two open areas with dedicated desks, providing flexible solutions for diverse businesses looking to scale and innovate.

Members of Connect Labs Charlotte will benefit from access to specialized shared equipment, negotiated rates on additional equipment, consumables, and supplies, as well as exclusive community events designed to foster collaboration and growth. Common amenities will include modern conference and huddle spaces, essential office equipment, a fully stocked kitchen, and centralized support services from a knowledgeable on-site team.

Wexford is currently recruiting for a site director to lead the operation and development of the facility. The site director will oversee a dynamic team focused on providing exceptional support and programming to ensure the success of tenants and the continued growth of Charlotte’s innovation ecosystem.

To schedule a tour, apply for a position, or learn more about Connect Labs by Wexford, please visit wexfordconnectlabs.com.