Utrecht, 9 April 2019
Biotech companies Genmab and Merus are teaming-up with Kadans Science Partner as the developer for “The Accelerator”, a multi-tenant Life Sciences building to be located in the Utrecht Science Park.
Merus N.V. (“Merus”) and Genmab B.V. (“Genmab”) initiated the development of “The Accelerator”, a new multi-tenant building designed by Paddy Siuwerts (cepezed) which will be located in the Utrecht Science Park (“USP”). The construction and operation of The Accelerator has been awarded to Kadans Science Partner.
According to Ton Logtenberg, CEO of Merus and co-initiator of this project on behalf of the Supervisory Board of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation, over the course of a unique trajectory, both a design and a collaboration have been created and formed which optimally fulfills the wishes of the all the stakeholders. With this plan the USP takes the next step in developing a sophisticated and dynamic Life Sciences environment where knowledge-based institutions and innovative companies can meet and collaborate in the discovery of new methods for achieving a longer and healthier life.
According to Jan van de Winkel, CEO of Genmab, The Accelerator is an exciting new chapter in the further development of both of the biotech companies as well as the unique innovatory ecosystem at the USP. The plans have been measured against the central pillars of Genmab and Merus: improving patients’ lives by developing innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer, in part via worthwhile collaborations. The building lends itself perfectly to this with, among other things, an auditorium for up to 250 people, various ‘meet & greet’ facilities, a conference center, and a full restaurant. This will endow the building with a unifying function for the USP.
In addition to a home for Merus and Genmab themselves, The Accelerator offers space for several companies in the Life Sciences that want to accelerate their development from startup to scale-up. As landowner, Utrecht University is pleased to participate in the project. Anton Pijpers, President of the University of Utrecht says: ‘Life Sciences are one of the strategic themes of the university. There are few places in the world where so many leading institutions and companies in the Life Sciences are located within walking distance of each other. The Accelerator is an outstanding addition.’
The Accelerator is currently scheduled for completion by early 2022. Jones Lang LaSalle and STONE22 acted as consultants in the selection process on the part of Genmab and Merus, respectively. Kadans Science Partner will realize the project with its partners, cepezed, Deerns, and BAM Bouw en Techniek. The building will be realized with an ambitious sustainability goal, BREEAM Excellent, and is in a prominent location near the entrance of the Utrecht Science Park.
Utrecht Science Park is one of the top science parks in the Netherlands and is a leader in the Life Sciences and Health. Kadans Science Partner specializes in optimally facilitating its tenants by developing, investing in, and managing buildings for knowledge-based companies and institutions in and around science parks and university campuses.
