Tucson Biotech Firm Triples Office Lease

TUCSON-High Throughput Genomics Inc., a provider of tools for the molecular biology industry, has signed a five-year lease on 8,200 sf of additional space in its existing facility in a move that will triple the company’s size.

Mike Cusack, the firm’s vice president of sales and marketing, tells GlobeSt.com that the expansion means the company should double its employee base from 15 to about 30 workers within the next year. The additional space gives the company almost 12,000 sf of office, research and warehouse space in the 25,000-sf building, owned by Rio Estes.

The firm currently is constructing chemistry and molecular biology laboratories at the facility along with an additional manufacturing area to help it keep pace with customer demands, Cusack said.

“Tucson provides a favorable environment for emerging-growth life sciences companies, so when we evaluated the expansion, we knew we’d remain in the city,” said Dr. Bruce Seligmann, president and CEO. “We anticipate bringing many new people on board over the coming months, so we value the close proximity of other companies in our industry, as well as the University of Arizona.”

The current expansion will allow the rapidly growing company more room for manufacturing, research and development and marketing operations in addition to providing space for new product development. The company creates products and processes that help pharmaceutical firms screen genes, allowing them to quickly develop new drugs.

High Throughput Genomics moved into about 4,000 sf at 6296 E. Grant Rd. about 16 months ago. It previously was located in the University of Arizona’s Life Science Building on Rita Road. The terms of the company’s lease were not disclosed.