LabShares Newton, a laboratory incubator for emerging biotechnology and life science companies has unveiled its newly expanded co-working lab and office space. LabShares is a fully equipped shared laboratory for early-stage research companies seeking a collaborative, cost-effective, and entrepreneurial working environment. Mayor of Newton Ruthanne Fuller and John Hallinan, Chief Business Officer at MassBio, attended the reception and ribbon cutting ceremony at LabShares to mark this important occasion.

LabShares launched near capacity in October 2018. Due to high demand for affordable, shared office and lab space, the company embarked on a plan to double the size of its footprint to 12,000 square feet, expanding the facility to support up to 30 companies. LabShares’ fully-permitted, professionally maintained facility provides turnkey access to cutting-edge lab instrumentation and equipment so members can immediately start scientific experiments. Basic administrative support, shipping and receiving, access to conference rooms, a fully-stocked kitchen, and other office park amenities, including a fitness center with showers, indoor bike storage, a café and free parking, are all included in a single monthly fee. Members include: AffyImmune Therapeutics, Abcuro Inc., ArrowDots BioMedicals, Extend Biosciences, Harbour Biomed, Siamab Therapeutics, and JA Bio.

“LabShares is committed to creating a dynamic community for life science start-ups in Newton,” said Jeff Behrens, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of LabShares. “Our goal is to provide a cutting-edge lab and work space at a cost-effective price, and to offer the necessary services, resources, professional development, and networking opportunities to provide a foundation for biotech start-ups to thrive. As vacancy rates for biotech lab and office space continue to fall and rents continue to rise in Cambridge, emerging companies are looking elsewhere for space. With our recent expansion, LabShares is uniquely positioned to meet this growing demand.”

To mark the occasion, LabShares has announced a new pitch competition called Launch@LabShares. Together with the support of two sponsors—DT Ward PC, an intellectual property law firm, and Faber Daeufer & Itrato PC, a life-science focused law firm—LabShares is giving away a free, one-year membership valued at $50,000 to an emerging biotech company. The winner will have access to shared office and lab space for one scientist as well as all resources and amenities at LabShares.

Added Mr. Behrens, “We are excited to offer a year-long membership to a biotech start-up through our Launch@LabShares contest and help support new and emerging companies in the space. We hope that LabShares will become a central part of the growing life science ecosystem. With this goal in mind, we are also rolling out a monthly lunchtime speaker series to provide members with a forum for information exchange and to learn about industry best practices.”

The Lunches@LabShares speaker series provides networking and professional development opportunities to its members and covers best practices and hot topics in life sciences. Speakers include biotech executives, investors and service providers. The lunchtime speaker series will be held at LabShares. Free lunch will be provided. A limited number of spots will be made available to the broader biotech community.

LabShares Newton is an office and laboratory incubator for emerging biotechnology and life science start-ups. The shared space provides a collaborative, affordable and entrepreneurial research environment for early-stage companies in a convenient location close to Cambridge and Boston. LabShares has developed a state-of-the-art facility that is fully permitted and professionally maintained and offers a variety of support services and amenities.