The leadership of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC) today welcomed Gov. Josh Shapiro to the Philadelphia incubator it manages, B+labs at Cira Centre, and enthusiastically endorsed Innovate in PA 2.0, the economic development initiative that the Governor discussed at a news conference following a tour of the facility.

Innovate in PA 2.0, part of the new state budget signed by Gov. Shapiro on July 12, is intended to support entrepreneurship and economic growth broadly, with a particular emphasis on life sciences. It’s expected to raise $125 million that will provide capital for selected startups in biotech and other industries, support clinical trials and boost Pennsylvania’s innovation network.

Louis P. Kassa III, MPA, chief executive officer of the PABC, Hepatitis B Foundation and Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, said: “Innovate in PA 2.0 is an extremely significant initiative that’s going to provide substantial assistance to our industry at a time when we most need it. Gov. Shapiro needs to be commended for this effort, and I really want to thank State Senator Steve Santarsiero, who has been the PABC’s greatest champion and was instrumental in helping to get this legislation passed.”

Kassa also expressed appreciation for the efforts of State Sen. Vincent Hughes, who arranged for the Governor’s visit to B+labs and has been a strong supporter of the biotech industry in Pennsylvania.

Prior to holding a news conference, Gov. Shapiro toured B+labs at Cira Centre with Kassa; Senators Hughes and Santarsiero; B+labs Director Matthew Burkhardt; Jerry Sweeney, President/CEO and trustee of Brandywine Realty Trust; Jim Greenwood, former U.S. Rep. and former CEO of BIO International; Madeline Bell, CEO, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; Deputy Sec. Jen Gilburg, Pa. Technology & Entrepreneurship; and Chris Molineaux, President & CEO, Life Sciences Pennsylvania.

Cira Centre is part of Schuylkill Yards, Brandywine Realty Trust’s flagship mixed-use, transit-oriented development, designed in partnership with Drexel University, to reimagine 14 acres in the heart of University City.

About the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC): The PABC uses a highly successful services-based approach to nurture and guide its member companies to success, advance biotechnology and maximize synergies among nonprofit scientists and their commercial colleagues. The PABC has nearly 90 member companies and organizations, primarily small to mid-size biotech and life sciences companies. About 60 of those operate on the Doylestown campus, which is home to the Hepatitis B Foundation and Blumberg Institute. The PABC also manages B+labs at Cira Centre, an incubator in Philadelphia with 24 resident companies, in partnership with Brandywine Realty Trust. Please visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter (@BiotechnologyPa) and Facebook.