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The state has become deeply rooted in life sciences, specifically pharmaceuticals. Eight of the world’s 10 largest pharmaceutical companies have a significant presence in New Jersey. Johnson & Johnson has had its worldwide headquarters in New Brunswick since its founding in 1886, while Novo Nordisk leads its U.S. operations near Princeton. Additionally, BMS has a major R&D facility located in New Brunswick while Merck’s R&D campus is in Kenilworth.

But even before the pharma boom, New Jersey had already established itself as a leader in innovation. In 1925, Bell Labs, one of the most transformative R&D ecosystems of the 20th century, was created in New York. Known as an “Idea Factory,” Bell Labs helped produce nine Nobel laureates and discoveries that shaped AT&T and beyond. By 1945, the company moved their headquarters to New Jersey, underscoring the state’s role in global innovation long before Silicon Valley. Today, Nokia Bell Labs remains a leader in communication, artificial intelligence (AI), and R&D. It is relocating its headquarters to the Health & Life Science Exchange (HELIX NJ), attracted by New Brunswick’s’ growing reputation for discovery and ingenuity. While this showcases the incredible pharmaceutical and entrepreneurial leadership in the region, one element is missing: a startup ecosystem featuring world-class lab space.

Why New Jersey?

• Research institutions: Princeton, Rutgers, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) anchor world-class science.
• Engineering talent: Some of the highest concentrations of scientists and engineers in the U.S.
• Strategic location: Despite being the fourth-smallest state, New Jersey ranks 11th in population and conveniently links two major hubs, New York City and Philadelphia.

environment for trials.

• Supportive leadership: The State of New Jersey and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) work collaboratively to provide access to grants and incentives to startups.

What’s been missing?

Launching a startup requires equipment, lab space, and talent which represents an enormous barrier without the right ecosystem. That is now changing with the HELIX NJ development in New Brunswick.

This four-acre, 1.5 million-square-foot project will deliver world-class lab facilities and shared equipment. The centerpiece is the New Jersey Innovation Hub (NJIH), where Portal Innovations, one of the nation’s leading life sciences venture development engines, will manage and activate the incubator. Portal has already invested in and supported more than 100 startups across the U.S. In partnership with the New Brunswick Development Corporation (DEVCO), Portal is bringing this proven model to New Jersey.

The NJIH will house numerous startups, creating a collaborative environment where entrepreneurs and established pharma companies work side-by-side. By lowering barriers to entry and fostering collaboration, HELIX NJ is poised to become the watering hole for life sciences breakthroughs. Since launching in 2020, Portal has helped generate more than $600M of value for early-stage startups in Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, and Boston, by connecting academic entrepreneurs with pharma and additional investors.

At a time when federal funding is under pressure, the combination of private investment and state support is more critical than ever. HELIX NJ and the NJIH represent the type of infrastructure needed to ensure New Jersey is not only home to global pharma but also to the startups and discoveries that will define the future of medicine.

Learn more www.helixnj.com.