UC Berkeley’s Innovation Zone is set to expand with the approval of a new laboratory building dedicated to CRISPR gene editing and entrepreneurial startups. The UC Regents approved the Innovative Genomics Institute-Bakar Labs building during a board meeting in Los Angeles. This seven-story facility, supported by private donations, will open in the 2028-29 academic year.
The Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI), founded by Jennifer Doudna, will use the new space to enhance research capabilities. “The IGI has doubled in size over the past five years, and this new facility represents a critical step in advancing our research capabilities,” said Doudna.
The IGI-Bakar Labs building will also accommodate startup companies ready for larger spaces but wishing to stay within Berkeley’s ecosystem. David Schaffer, director of Bakar Labs, stated that once completed, Bakar Labs would be over 400,000 square feet and become the largest university-owned incubator hub in the nation.
“The university is an incredible fountain of discoveries and innovations,” said UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons. He emphasized the partnership between IGI and Bakar Labs as crucial for transitioning discoveries into societal benefits.
Having IGI labs alongside Bakar Labs’ innovation space allows for collaboration opportunities and spinoff CRISPR-focused companies nearby. Brad Ringeisen, executive director of IGI, noted the potential for valuable interactions between researchers and entrepreneurs.
Berkeley Innovation Zone spans 1.86 acres near downtown Berkeley. The IGI-Bakar Labs building will include wet labs, offices, meeting rooms, and flexible collaboration areas designed by DGA and Weiss/Manfredi.
IGI recently announced successful personalized CRISPR therapy delivered to a child correcting a hereditary disease. A $20 million grant from Chan Zuckerberg Initiative supports expanding treatment scope to other diseases.
Schaffer views the new hub as “graduation” space for startups outgrowing their current facilities at Bakar Labs. Since opening in 2021 at Woo Hall, Bakar Labs companies have raised over $630 million and created more than 400 jobs.
UC Berkeley often acquires equity shares in startups using its intellectual property instead of upfront licensing fees. BEVC fund partners with entrepreneurs within this ecosystem to support growth financially.
Jennifer Doudna co-invented CRISPR technology leading UC Berkeley research generating numerous innovative companies such as Caribou Biosciences or Mammoth Biosciences dominating healthcare landscape today; among others like Azalea Therapeutics or Catena Biosciences currently tenants at Bakars lab applying genomic approaches towards health/agriculture solutions globally competitive/sustainable particularly through reduced methane emissions.”
