Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority Opens New Accelerator Facility, Significantly Expanding Capabilities at Its Bioscience Park Ctr in the Fitzsimons Life Science District

Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority (FRA) opens its new $8 million Accelerator facility today, expanding its Bioscience Park Center (BPC) by roughly 50% with this state-of-the-art 37,000-square-foot structure. The new accelerator space is leasing to existing tenants graduating from the adjacent Incubator Building and other companies in the growth stage.

Aurora, CO, August 22, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority (FRA) officially opens its new $8 million, 37,000 square-foot Accelerator Building today, adjacent to its original Incubator Building at the Bioscience Park Center (BCP) in the Fitzsimons Life Science District. The announcement is made by Steve VanNurden, FRA President & CEO, who says, "The addition of this Accelerator will offer companies growing in the Incubator an opportunity to expand and continue their expansion nearby."

The FRA's original Incubator Building opened in 2000 and now houses 35 companies in different stages of development. The expansion will enable companies to move into larger, long-term space. The new space includes:

* Built-to-suit spaces with access to incubator services and amenities
* World class resources at your finger tips - university research facilities and major medical centers
* Collaborative environment with complimentary business and networking opportunities

"The Bioscience Park Center is designed to foster a collaborative environment—by having established companies in close proximity to incubator startups—further promoting an essential atmosphere that makes the Fitzsimons Life Science District an important hub in the overall growth of Colorado’s bioscience industry," VanNurden explains. "Companies relocating to the Accelerator include: Mitomics, Touch of Life Technologies, LightLabs and Greffex."

Concurrent with the Accelerator's completion, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) has been retained by the FRA to market its new facility adjacent to the Business Incubator. Speaking on behalf of the national firm, JLL Broker Lindsay Gilbert says, "Colorado's Bioscience Industry is poised for growth, particularly at the research and patient-centric life sciences district at Fitzsimons. Our firm is thrilled to be partnering with Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority at this time of explosive growth for the district."

Amplifying the importance of the district, Donald M. Elliman, Jr., FRA Board Member and Chancellor of the University of Colorado Denver, was recently quoted in the Denver Post saying: "The land north of Montview on the Fitzsimons property represents one of the great economic development opportunities in Colorado, maybe the greatest in the state." Visit: http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_18108184.

About FRA President/CEO Steve VanNurden

Following an extensive national search, Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority (FRA) named Steve VanNurden as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, in March 2012. He took over the office in late May. The appointment of VanNurden is further evidence of the FRA's continued commitment to support the development of life science companies in Colorado in partnership with the State’s research institutions.

VanNurden came to the FRA from Mayo Clinic Ventures, the invention arm for Mayo Clinic. Under his direction, this division was responsible for patenting and commercializing Mayo’s discoveries, inventions and other intellectual property. Under the guidance of VanNurden, Mayo’s technology based ventures efforts resulted in the formation of 45+ Mayo Clinic start-up companies.

Bruce Benson, President of the University of Colorado and a member of the FRA Board, commented on the appointment by stating “Steve has the sophisticated understanding of the linkage between our outstanding research programs and the translation of new discoveries into new drugs, devices, and therapies. We have always envisioned the FRA as a key partner in our commercialization efforts and Steve brings the perfect background to make this partnership successful.”

About the Colorado Science + Technology Park

The Colorado Science + Technology Park is the center of The Fitzsimons Life Science District, one of the nation’s largest bioscience developments and the heart of Colorado's bioscience community. The District offers a full range of purchase, lease and build-to-suit opportunities for world-class research, resources and facilities in a 184-acre, walkable environment featuring open space and other amenities designed to enhance the quality of life for employers and their employees.

About Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority

The FRA directs the commercial developments in the Fitzsimons Life Science District, along with its partner, Forest City Science + Technology Group. In this role, the FRA is dedicated to providing life science companies: an environment where they can thrive; success-enhancing resources like the District’s business incubator and accelerator facilities; and services that help form connections between private industry and the University of Colorado. Aurora’s Fitzsimons Life Science District is becoming what its founders envisioned: a functioning community that directly supports the health and well-being of life science companies. For more information, visit: http://www.fitzscience.com.

Contacts:

Vicki Jenings, CPM, FRA Director of Business Relations - http://www.fitzscience.com - 720-859-4108 - vjenings@colobio.com

Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, Absolutely PR - http://www.absolutelypr.com - 303-984-9801 - maggie@absolutelypr.com
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Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority
Maggie Holben
303-984-9801
www.fitzscience.com
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