Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled an ambitious initiative designed to position New York at the forefront of pioneering research in cell and gene therapy with the launch of New York BioGenesis Park (NYBGP). This transformative project, a substantial investment of $430 million, aims to create a cutting-edge cell and gene therapy (CGT) Innovation Hub that will not only bolster New York’s leadership in CGT research and development but also propel the state to the global center of CGT innovation. New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe) is proud to announce its partnership in this groundbreaking venture through its Comprehensive Cell Solutions (CCS) division. CCS, recognized as a leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), will lend its advanced expertise and state-of-the-art infrastructure to support early-stage developers, pharmaceutical companies, and academic institutions in their pursuits. The project is being developed in collaboration with the Albanese Organization, further emphasizing NYBCe’s dedication to fostering innovation in the life sciences sector.
Strategically located in Nassau County and buoyed by a historic $150 million state investment—the largest ever allocated for a cell and gene therapy hub across the nation—NYBGP is set to expedite the transformation of groundbreaking therapies from laboratory settings to patients in New York’s diverse communities. This innovative facility aspires to establish New York as a premier global destination for CGT innovation, fueling economic growth, attracting top-tier talent, and revolutionizing the landscape of patient care.
“We’re not just advancing medical science,” said Governor Hochul during her announcement on Tuesday. “We’re creating a powerhouse that will drive our economy, generate thousands of high-skilled jobs, and bring hope to millions facing life-threatening diseases.”
Christopher D. Hillyer, MD, President and CEO of NYBCe, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “The establishment of the Long Island Center for Cell and Gene Therapy is a pivotal investment in the future of medicine. NYBCe and CCS are honored to play a leading role in positioning New York as a global leader in life sciences, particularly in cell and gene therapy, offering hope to patients with diseases once considered untreatable.”
“Today’s announcement goes beyond a new life science development; it establishes New York as a global leader in cell and gene therapy,” said Ayanna Bryan, Senior Director of Comprehensive Cell Solutions. “The Long Island Center for Cell and Gene Therapy will be a beacon of innovation, providing new hope for patients facing some of the world’s most challenging diseases.”
“This initiative will remove barriers to enable unique scientific and business collaboration, leveraging the expertise of the best and the brightest minds at NYBC, CCS, and our esteemed partners across the state,” said Jay Mohr, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer, head of the CCS business unit at NYBCe. “We thank Governor Hochul and all participating organizations for their unwavering dedication to building a brighter, healthier future for patients and families across New York and beyond.”
New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe) and Comprehensive Cell Solutions are not new players in the field; they have continued to lead the charge in lifesaving research, innovation, and impactful discoveries for over six decades. NYBCe serves as a vital community lifeline, dedicated to advancing global public health by providing blood products, cellular therapies, specialty pharmacy, and a range of medical services to over 400 hospitals as well as more than 200 research, academic, and biomedical organizations.
About New York Blood Center Enterprises
About Comprehensive Cell Solutions
Comprehensive Cell Solutions (CCS), a strategic business unit of New York Blood Center Enterprises, focuses specifically on cell and gene therapy development and manufacturing. It offers essential capacity to early-stage developers and supplies expertise along with a strategic framework for hospital treatment centers and pharmaceutical organizations. CCS delivers a complete vein-to-vein solution, from fresh cellular collections and cord-blood derived stem cells as source material to cell isolation, manipulation, and cryopreservation capabilities for both preclinical and commercial-stage products. The organization is proud to have a client roster that includes the world’s most renowned pharmaceutical companies, innovative biotechnology firms, and leading academic medical centers. Headquartered in New York, CCS also conducts cellular collections, clinical apheresis, and CGT manufacturing services locally.
**Interview with Ayanna Bryan, Senior Director of Comprehensive Cell Solutions at NYBCe**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Ayanna. Governor Hochul recently announced the launch of New York BioGenesis Park, which is a significant investment in cell and gene therapy in New York. Can you tell us what this initiative means for the future of medical research in the state?
**Ayanna Bryan:** Thank you for having me! The launch of New York BioGenesis Park is incredibly exciting and transformative. It positions New York as a global leader in cell and gene therapy. By providing a state-of-the-art innovation hub, we are facilitating groundbreaking research and development that can bring novel therapies directly to patients. This initiative promises not only to advance medical science but also to create a collaborative environment where the most brilliant minds can work together to tackle some of the most challenging diseases we face today.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned collaboration, which seems to be a key element of the NYBGP. How will this hub facilitate partnerships between different stakeholders in the life sciences sector?
**Ayanna Bryan:** Absolutely. One of the main goals of the BioGenesis Park is to remove barriers that have historically hindered collaboration in this field. By bringing together early-stage developers, established pharmaceutical companies, and academic institutions under one roof, we can foster unique scientific partnerships. This will leverage the expertise of everyone involved, from researchers to business leaders, ultimately accelerating the discovery and delivery of new therapies.
**Interviewer:** How is the state’s $150 million investment going to impact the local economy and job market?
**Ayanna Bryan:** The economic impact is expected to be substantial. The investment will not only create thousands of high-skilled jobs in the area—from researchers to manufacturing specialists—but it will also attract top-tier talent and businesses to New York. As we establish ourselves as a premier destination for cell and gene therapy innovation, we anticipate that this will spur economic growth, drive investment, and enhance the overall life sciences ecosystem in the region.
**Interviewer:** Governor Hochul spoke about providing hope to millions facing life-threatening diseases. Can you share how NYBGP aims to address patient needs?
**Ayanna Bryan:** The ultimate goal of NYBGP is to transform groundbreaking laboratory discoveries into accessible therapies for patients as quickly as possible. By focusing on cell and gene therapy, we are targeting conditions that currently have limited treatment options. Our hub will facilitate the development and manufacturing of these therapies, ensuring that they are not only effective but also available to diverse communities throughout New York. In that sense, BioGenesis Park represents hope in action.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Ayanna, for sharing your insights on this groundbreaking initiative. It truly sounds like an exhilarating time for the life sciences sector in New York.
**Ayanna Bryan:** Thank you for having me! We’re looking forward to what lies ahead and the positive impact we’ll have on patients and the community.
