Wet Labs Open at Technical Innovation Center

Quad - State Business Journal, Mar 2008 by Heerwagen, Peter

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Last month, state and local government officials were on hand to dedicate the new biotechnology labs addition to the Technical Innovation Center CTIC) at Hagerstown Community College (HCC). The 4,000-square-foot facility includes 11 private wet labs and one common lab for lease by start-up biotech and life science firms.

"This is a huge boost to the area's economic development efforts," said Guy Altieri, HCC president, in a statement. "This type of facility greatly enhances HCC's role in providing training and support for start-up businesses that will bring more high-skilled, high-wage jobs to the county."

Dr. Greg Grillo, president of Nanolytics, IXC, signed the first lease agreement following the dedication.

Three other agreements are pending, said Chris Marschner, TIC manager, who expects the facility to be fully leased by the end of June.

Funding for the $1.3 million project came from the Maryland Department of Business and Economie Development, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation and the Washington County Board of County Commissioners. Construction began in July 2007 and concluded in February.

According to Marschner, the new biotech start-up companies will serve as a nucleus for the life science industry within Washington County. "This cluster of activity will provide economic development officials with a visible presence to reference when recruiting larger life science firms to the area," he said.

To further assist in the effort, HCC officials developed a related biotechnology curriculum that began hi the fall of 2007. Students have the option to earn a certificate or degree in biotechnology at HCC and participate in internship opportunities available in the new wet labs facility.

"The ability to provide students with internships on campus is a big benefit," said Melanie Ulrich, lead biotechnology instructor. "Internships are key to getting jobs in this field."

Nanolytics Moved from Frederick

A tenant at the TlC since last fall, Nanolytics LLC is a start-up medical device company that focuses on applying existing technology to the development of unique products for non-invasive medical diagnosis. Dr. Greg Grillo, president of the company, is also conducting research and development on novel technologies for chemical and biological sensor applications for the Department of Defense's anti-terrorism activities.

Before locating Nanolytics at the TlC, for five years Grillo had an internal medicine practice in Frederick, Md. He has also worked at Walter Reed Army Institute for Research and the FDA, ...