New York bringing $50 million ‘Lab of the Future’ to Manhattan

ALBANY — A new “Lab of the Future” coming to New York City will utilize artificial intelligence and machine learning to conduct clinical research and make advanced drug discoveries more data driven and cost effective, according to Gov. Hochul.

The $50 million pilot project in Midtown Manhattan is being developed by Deerfield Discovery and Development and will be supported by a $25 million Empire State Development grant.

“Deerfield’s life-saving clinical research and advanced drug discoveries will fuel business activity, grow and strengthen our workforce, and bring the next generation of medicine to New York State,” Hochul said in a statement. “Support for the life sciences is critical to building a modern economy, and my administration remains committed to boosting the key industries and job creators that will move New York forward.”

The lab will occupy approximately 6,000 square feet of Deerfield’s Cure innovation campus, a site that already hosts more than a dozen companies working in health care, including medical technologies, health care services, therapeutics and non-profits.

According to the governor’s office, the new lab will use artificial intelligence and automation to “facilitate a more efficient drug discovery process.”

James Flynn, managing partner of Deerfield Management and Cure founder, said the project is a “major step forward” for the state’s life sciences community.

“The Lab of the Future expects to bring new and transformative technological capabilities to early-stage drug discovery efforts at an unprecedented scale,” Flynn said. “We are excited by the potential of this initiative to enable meaningful scientific progress and fuel economic opportunity.”

The $25 million state grant will support costs to develop laboratory automation, predictive drug design algorithms, talent acquisition, scientific supplies, software, and initial operating costs, according to officials.

Deerfield has committed to replicating the synthesis, screening and software services through a full-scale company in New York upon completion of the lab and five-year grant.

The lab is expected to eventually serve as a drug-discovery resource for large and small biopharma companies and be a draw for other companies in related fields.

“The Lab of the Future will enable New York State to capture the commercial potential of automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning to strengthen the state’s life science ecosystem, while also bringing skilled jobs to New York,” said ESD president, CEO, and commissioner Hope Knight. “The innovative technology employed by the Lab will help further establish New York’s leadership in life science.”

Deerfield’s new lab site is located blocks away from the planned CUNY-centric Science Park and Research Campus, or SPARC, which will expand and redevelop an entire city block as part of Hunter College’s Brookdale Campus in Kips Bay.

Hochul and Mayor Adams unveiled plans for the 5-acre site near First Ave. and E. 25th St. late last year.

The life sciences education hub will be anchored by new facilities for over 4,500 students from the Hunter School of Nursing and School of Health Professions, the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy and other health care programs.