Norgen Biotek, a Canadian biotechnology company based in Thorold, Ontario, is expanding its operations into Buffalo and Niagara Falls. The company plans to invest $5 million to build a 2,800-square-foot manufacturing facility in Niagara Falls and a research and development (R&D) lab at at UB's Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences. The manufacturing facility will produce and distribute sample preparation, preservation, and diagnostic kits. The R&D lab at CBLS will focus on next-generation sequencing and nucleic acid isolation processes.
This expansion is expected to create seven jobs at the R&D lab and "dozens" of jobs at the manufacturing facility. The move is part of Norgen Biotek’s strategy to integrate into the region’s strong life sciences community, leveraging Buffalo’s prime location and workforce. The company received support from Invest Buffalo Niagara and the UB, and will benefit from operating tax-free for 10 years through the START-UP NY program.