Cold Spring Harbor Lab scores $15M from NYS for new pancreatic research center

New York State is giving $15 million for an expansion of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence.

This funding, though Empire State Development, is designated for the lab’s $500 million expansion plan. The center will aim to advance research to diagnose and treat pancreatic cancer, considered one of the most lethal forms of cancer.

The funding “will advance research to better understand pancreatic cancer, one of the most devastating forms of cancer,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a news release about the expansion at CSHL. “We are making important investments to ensure New York is on the cutting edge of biomedical research, creating new jobs, and ensuring we remain competitive in the 21st century economy.”

The pancreatic center is expected to create 25 jobs at the facility, attract entrepreneurial scientists from the lab and other centers, and generate between two and four startup companies per year. Officials said that the new commercial activity could create more than 100 “high-value local scientific jobs,” prompting more economic stimulus to the region.

Medical experts say that pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal forms of cancer, with a survival rate of less than 10% for patients diagnosed after the cancer has spread. To address this urgent need for new approaches in diagnosis and treatment, CSHL researchers, led by scientist, Dr. David Tuveson, have developed scientifically valuable model systems. Scientists at the lab aim to utilize these models in collaboration with neighboring medical facilities to develop innovative therapies and diagnostics, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Founded in 1890, CSHL collaborates with other researchers, including at Northwell Health. The lab support about 1,000 high-paying life science jobs and is also home to eight Nobel Prize winning scientists, and according to the state has a history of commercializing research.

“ColdSpringHarborLaboratory's expansion of the Pancreatic Cancer Center ofExcellence is a testament to the vital role that research institutions play in advancing our understanding and treatment of devastating diseases like pancreatic cancer,” Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said in the news release.

“This investment not only highlights the state's recognition of CSHL's exceptional scientific contributions but also underscores our dedication to fostering innovation and economic growth in Long Island's life sciences sector,” Knight said.

“ColdSpringHarborLaboratory has already made significant breakthroughs in pancreatic cancer research, including the discovery of new drug targets,” Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory President and CEO Bruce Stillman said in the news release. “Our new Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence will help validate these targets, enabling our commercial partners to develop innovative therapies and diagnostic strategies that ultimately improve patient outcomes.”

CSHL Chair Marilyn Simons said in the news release that the state’s “commitment provides a catalyst to mobilize further private investment in pancreatic cancer research atColdSpringHarborLaboratory. On a personal note, my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer when he was 75. He went to the doctor, asked for an exploratory operation, and lived another 14 years. But few people are so lucky. Our wonderful scientists here atColdSpringHarborare working withNorthwellHealth and the Feinstein Institutes to help more people get access to the latest biomedical advances.”

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