Co.Lab Cambridge

In-person

Accepts up to 12 startups

No initial funding

0% equity

2-3 years

Background
What we're looking for
What we can offer you
Who we are
Q&A

Leverage Bayer's competence, network, and infrastructure in order to bring your brilliant ideas to life—with no strings attached.

Background

At Bayer, we’re always looking to support new technologies and creative approaches to develop more effective treatments for disease. If you’re an early-stage life science start-up company with that next great idea, then Bayer Co.Lab incubators can offer you the dynamic atmosphere you need to succeed.

You’ll be part of a community of entrepreneurs with opportunities to grow your company while exploring new ideas. Access to Bayer’s global research, development and manufacturing expertise will give you the power and technology to take your ideas all the way to patients. We can’t wait to be a part of your journey!

Bayer’s Co.Lab Cambridge is specifically designed to support cutting-edge cell and gene therapies (CGT) and oncology entrepreneurs with access to Bayer’s enterprise-wide expertise in addition to state-of-the art laboratory and office space.

What we're looking for

Areas of interest

We're interested in startups focused on areas including:

Cell therapy
Gene therapy
Gene delivery
RNA therapeutics
Oncology – small molecules/biologics/novel modalities
Oncology – novel targets
Autoimmune disease therapeutics

Startup location

Accepting applications from startups based in all countries

Stage of funding

We're looking for startups at the following stages:

Pre-seed
Seed
Series A

Acceptable technology readiness levels (TRL)

We're looking for startups with solutions in the following TRL range:

Levels 3-7

What we can offer you

Benefits:

Networking

Co-locate and build relationships with multiple groups at Bayer, including Oncology R&D, CGT Strategy, Leaps by Bayer (Corporate Venture Arm), Regional BD&L, and BlueRock Therapeutics. Get immersed in the Bayer Co.Lab startup ecosystem in the heart of Kendall Square, composed of early stage and multi-stage VC firms, academic hospitals, large pharma and other “final acquirers”.

Facilities and Services

Spacious, state of the art lab and office space with shared equipment to reduce capital expenditures with flexible leasing; facilities operated by LabCentral with an extensive list of specialized equipment for CGT and oncology research.

Expertise

Company-tailored CGT and oncology specific mentoring program; regular & on-demand touchpoints with Bayer experts, who provide continuous insights regarding key issues, such as manufacturing; and early access to leadership and technology.

Who we are

Bayer Co.Lab is a growing global network of life science incubators that provides entrepreneurs and early-stage companies access to state-of-the-art facilities, resources, and expertise with no strings attached. At Co.Lab, we take a high-touch, tailored approach to support our resident companies.

Our U.S. flagship site, Co.Lab Cambridge, is tailored exclusively to the needs of Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) and Oncology companies. We are strategically located in a CGT Center for Excellence that includes BlueRock Therapeutics, Beam, LabCentral 238, and Bayer’s Precision Oncology team within the new Bayer Research & Innovation Center in Kendall Square.

Co.Lab’s global footprint is expanding to include a relaunch of our sites in Berlin and Kobe as well as new installations in China (coming soon).

Reviewers

Alberto Nobili

VP, Head of Co.Lab Cambridge

Q&A with Bayer Pharma

The Q&A is now closed.

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Is there designated space for just the company for like the hood and incubator and refrigerator / freezer? or is this all shared with other companies? How does cost sharing of reagents work?

Karthik Musunuri, CEO, Avstera Therapeutics Corp.

February 8, 2024

Hello Kathrik, Thank you for your inquiry. Bayer Co.Lab Cambridge is a shared life science incubator space with state of the art equipment. Residents are allocated incubator, freezer and storage space based upon their footprint. Designated space is available based upon the size and needs of the residents. Companies are responsible for purchasing their individual reagents, however purchasing through our procurement portal offers potential discounts.

Fiona Mack, VP Head Co.Lab Cambridge, Bayer Pharma

February 27, 2024

Is this response helpful?

For this program could I send a couple of our cell therapy scientists to work out of Cambridge? Or does it have to be the C-suite? How is IP from the lab protected to ensure the company using the lab retains all IP?

Karthik Musunuri, CEO, Avstera Therapeutics Corp.

February 8, 2024

Hello Karthik, Co.Lab Cambridge is an open shared workspace that also include wet laboratory space. We can accomodate lab scientist and C-suite executive. All residents have access to booking conference space with options suitable for private phone calls and large enough for board meetings. Only non-confidential information is reviewed as part of the Co.Lab application process. All IP remains the property of the independent Co.Lab resident, unless a separate agreement for a partnership is pursued.

Fiona Mack, VP Head Co.Lab Cambridge, Bayer Pharma

February 28, 2024

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Is the cost of wet lab benches being covered by Bayer if the start-up company is selected?

Kenzo Washington, Research Associate, Georgetown University

January 4, 2024

Hello Kenzo, Thank you for our inquiry. Co.Lab Cambridge is a open and shared life science lab space, capital equipment provided by Bayer which reduces the start-up costs for our entrepreneurs. Residents have access to common equipment, conference rooms and amenities. Cost for residency is not covered by Bayer, but the usage fees are competitive within the market. Please keep a look out for upcoming Co.Lab Innovation Challenges with funding opportunities that may be applied to lab space usage fees.

Fiona Mack, VP Head Co.Lab Cambridge, Bayer Pharma

January 25, 2024

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My company already has lab space at our European office, but we are still interested in joining Co.Lab for the other areas of help. Is it still possible to apply for the program?

Aaron Block, Business Development, Ariceum Therapeutics

January 4, 2024

Hello Aaron, Co.Lab is a global network of life science incubators. We are eager to support entrepreneurs independent of their location. We are piloting a virtual model that will provide members with access to Bayer expertise, networking opportunities and educational programming. Please submit your application, we would love to learn more about your venture. Best, Fiona

Fiona Mack, VP Head Co.Lab Cambridge, Bayer Pharma

January 29, 2024

Is this response helpful?

Our current product set is focused on enabling new discoveries and acute-care (<1 hr turnaround) diagnostics using proteomics analyses. As such, it could potentially fit into the category of "novel targets for oncology" as our product could be focused at that aim. However, it is really a more general tool that can be used for medical/biological research. As such, it probably falls under "other." Would this type of technology be of interest for this program?

Vikas Tuteja, Business Development, Cinder Biological, Inc.

January 29, 2024

Hello Vikas, In principle, we are open to reviewing platforms, diagnostics, and therapeutics that represent an innovative approach to drug discovery and development. If you have a highly differentiated approach that can be applied to early stage research and development, please submit. We welcome the opportunity to learn more. Best, Fiona

Fiona Mack, VP Head Co.Lab Cambridge, Bayer Pharma

January 29, 2024

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In-Person Locations

Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Eligible partners

Startups

Seeking partners focused on

OncologyGene TherapyCell TherapyBiotechnology