Technology center could expand scientific research in Round Rock

By Rob Heidrick Friday, 06 November 2009

ROUND ROCK — Round Rock city and community leaders are considering proposals to build a research center in northeast Round Rock to serve as a base for companies developing new technologies, medicines and scientific products.

The city council voted unanimously in October to approve a resolution supporting the project—called a convergent technology center—and to request state funding.

A city-commissioned study of the potential economic benefits of the proposed project is due out in November, and the building could open by the end of next year, said John Avery, Sr., whose family owns the Avery Centre tract on which the center could be built.

The technology center would function as an “accelerator” for businesses in middle and late phases of product development, and the companies would share resources with nearby hospitals, colleges and universities, Avery said.

“The idea would be to facilitate an environment for companies that are in the mid stage of life—not necessarily in the incubation stage—that have proven products, proven patents and who are ready to go to the next step,” he said.

The building, which would be located between the Texas A&M Health Science Center and Seton Medical Center Williamson, would be occupied by companies working on products such as cancer-fighting drugs, clean-energy systems and nanotechnology.

“It’s basically the convergence of medical, bio-life science, physics, biology and chemistry into a new sort of science that converges all of those different scientific endeavors into one, for the betterment of mankind,” Avery said.

Beyond ‘the bench’

Round Rock City Manager Jim Nuse characterized the center as a return on the community’s investment in its medical and educational network, which includes Seton Medical Center Williamson, St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center, Scott & White Healthcare-Round Rock, Austin Community College, Texas State University Round Rock Higher Education Center and Texas A&M Health Science Center.

“Economic development, cures for cancer—there’s a plethora of things that can happen when you get the synergy of three educational facilities and three healthcare centers,” Nuse said.

The Texas Life-Sciences Collaboration Center, a similar facility in Georgetown, houses lab space for biotechnology and medical companies in the incubation phase. Nuse said companies at the Round Rock technology center would occupy the building on a temporary basis later in the development process, preparing for approval and commercialization of their products. Companies could then decide to set up permanent operations elsewhere in the city.

“There’s a place between figuring out what’s a good idea—the bench—and there’s a place where that science gets translated from a good idea to a product. That’s what businesses and creative people are having a hard time with: bridging that gap,” Nuse said. “That’s the niche that we believe we are uniquely located for.”

Biomedical breakthroughs

As plans for the convergent technology center take shape, the City of Round Rock, the chamber of commerce and private partners have begun seeking out companies to conduct research there. Avery said several candidates have emerged as possible tenants, and he expects the recruitment effort to continue through the end of the year.

Mayor Alan McGraw mentioned the city’s discussions with Maryland-based company CytImmune Sciences Inc. in an address to the chamber’s economic development partnership this summer. CytImmune is preparing for the second phase of clinical trials in developing a new cancer treatment that attacks tumors with gold nanoparticles.

Avery said phase two studies—which typically take between 18 and 24 months—would be an ideal stage for companies to occupy the building as they work on other drugs in their pipelines.

CytImmune’s decision to locate in the center depends on availability of outside funding, primarily from state bonds. As of press time, no decision had been made on possible funding packages.

McGraw told the city council in October that any company that occupies the center will help put the city on track to become a site for major medical advancements.

“This facility is going to help facilitate a cure for cancer,” he said.

In search of funding

Nuse said the city is evaluating funding options for the project and considering recruitment strategies, pending the results of the economic impact study scheduled to be released this month.

In August the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce published its own study, recommending that the city partner with universities, hospitals, law firms, financial institutions and large corporations—including Dell Inc., TECO-Westinghouse and Samsung—to secure startup funding from regional, state and federal sources.

Private support, including the Avery family’s land donation, is another key factor in bringing the center closer to approval.

Ripple effect

Avery said in addition to creating jobs at the center, the arrival of new companies would result in a ripple effect that could diversify the local economy and make the city more resistant to economic downturns.

“If we are able to promote this, get sponsorship from the city and have active partners in those colleges and hospitals, we could have a real opportunity for economic development for Round Rock, Williamson County and Central Texas,” Avery said.

As Round Rock officials evaluate the need for a new technology center, an early outline of the project has begun to take shape. John Avery—who plans to donate land for the project with brothers Charles and Nelson and sister Christina—offered examples of some ideas that have emerged in the planning process.

Size: The first phase of the building could be about 20,000 sq. ft. Later phases could expand it gradually to 40,000 and then 60,000 sq. ft. if multiple companies express interest in moving into the center.

Timeline: Avery said the center ideally would be built and occupied by late 2010, assuming the city, local partners and prospective tenants reach an agreement and the concept receives approval in the anticipated time frame.

Proposed facilities

Dry lab: A laboratory used for working with electronic components, analyzing data and storing materials that might require a stable temperature and humidity level, among other applications

Wet lab: Laboratory space dedicated for working with chemicals, biological samples and other associated elements

Clean room: A sealed area with strict controls against contamination, primarily used for work with sensitive materials such as micro-scale electronics

Source: National Institute of Building Sciences

Cancer research funding

In 2007, Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment creating the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, giving the state the authority to issue $3 billion in bonds for cancer research. Supporters of Round Rock’s proposed convergent technology center hope legislators will use these use these bonds to recruit major research companies to the area.

The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas was created to:

• Stimulate innovation in the area of cancer research by promoting medical and scientific breakthroughs in prevention and cures for cancer
• Attract, create or expand research capabilities of public or private institutions of higher education and other public or private entities that will promote a substantial increase in cancer research and in the creation of high-quality new jobs in this state
• Award funds for a variety of projects relevant to cancer research and prevention, encouraging development of state-of-the-art technologies with potential commercialization opportunities
• Develop and implement a long-range, statewide strategy for discovering a cure for cancer

Funding and timeline

CPRIT has received an appropriation of $450 million from the Texas Legislature for 2010 and 2011. The first round of CPRIT awards for some categories of research grants are expected to be announced in spring 2010. For more information, visit www.cprit.state.tx.us.

Source: Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas

Convergent technology

Convergent technology is a blend of multiple scientific fields, from biomedicine and chemistry to computer science and energy production. Round Rock’s proposed technology facility could become a site at which companies develop new products to fight disease and achieve other scientific breakthroughs. These are examples of the types of research that could be done at the proposed center.

• Translational medicine
  • Research, development and clinical testing of new drugs and medical procedures
  • Example: A pharmaceutical company undergoes the middle stages of evaluation for a new cancer-fighting drug
• Nanotechnology
  • A broad range of new technologies and procedures that incorporate systems of microscopic particles
  • Example: A study tracks the effectiveness of using gold particles to detect early-stage Alzheimer’s disease
• Clean energy
  • Development of alternative energy sources that are fueled by natural elements, reducing carbon emissions
  • Example: An energy company refines its concepts for new types of solar panels and wind turbines
• Immunology
  • The scientific study of the body’s response to disease
  • Example: A laboratory study of the immune system’s response to tumors guides the creation of a new biotherapy treatment

Sources: City of Round Rock, Cancer Research Institute, National Nanotechnology Initiative