November 8, 2021

Ohio Gov. DeWine, Anchor Institutions Provide Update on Cleveland Innovation District

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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine

Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted joined Cleveland Innovation District anchor institutions at the Health Education Campus in Cleveland today to update the Innovation District’s progress since plans were announced in January of 2021.

The partnership between JobsOhio, the Ohio Department of Development, Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, The MetroHealth System, Case Western Reserve University, and Cleveland State University is intended to attract fast-growing businesses and in-demand talent, create 20,000 jobs over ten years and establish a pathogen center with global reach to improve the lives of millions.

Click here to read the full press release from JobsOhio.

Today’s press conference on Cleveland Innovation District included a panel discussion moderated by Bill Koehler, Chief Executive Officer, Team NEO. Panelists (left to right) were: Michael Goldberg, Executive Director of the Veale Center for Entrepreneurship and Associate Professor of Design and Innovation, Case Western Reserve University; Serpil Erzurum, MD, Chief Research and Academic Officer, Cleveland Clinic; Joanne Belovich, PhD, Interim Dean, Washkiewicz College of Engineering, Cleveland State University; Julie Jacono, Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, MetroHealth; and David Sylvan, President, UH Ventures.

“The Cleveland Innovation District will play an essential role in attracting and retaining STEM graduates who will make Ohio a global leader in developing life-saving research and treatments worldwide,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “The advancements made here will bolster Ohio’s healthcare and IT sectors and be a magnet for fast-growing companies seeking the talent and innovations that will bring high paying, long-term jobs to Northeast Ohio.”

In 2021, Cleveland Clinic has hired 300 toward the seven-year commitment of 1,000 new jobs to be created related to the Cleveland Innovation District, including research, education, information technology and supply chain.

As part of its ongoing commitment, Cleveland Clinic has also:

  • Launched Discovery Accelerator with IBM, a 10-year partnership that serves as the technology foundation of the Global Center for Pathogen Research & Human Health. The collaboration is anticipated to build a robust research and clinical infrastructure to empower big data medical research in ethical, privacy preserving ways, discoveries for patient care and novel approaches to public health threats such as the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the collaboration, IBM plans to install its first private sector, on-premises IBM Quantum System One in the U.S., to be located in Cleveland Innovation District. Plans also include education and workforce develop opportunities related to high-performance computing.
  • Opened Cleveland Clinic BioRepository, the first new building in the Cleveland Innovation District. The 22,000-square-foot facility increases and centralizes storage capacity for biologic samples at Cleveland Clinic, while enhancing researchers’ study of human tissue samples to more rapidly translate laboratory discoveries into new treatments for patients. Specimens are linked to electronic medical record data to analyze the course of diseases and treatments to advance personalized medicine for conditions such as cancer, epilepsy and heart disease. The biorepository opened last month and already houses 50,000 samples.
  • Launched plans for significant expansion of research facilities. Construction has begun to add 45,000 square feet of research space into the existing NA building, tentatively scheduled to open in 2022. The renovation of two floors will house the Center for Therapeutics Drug Discovery, Biomedical research labs (Vaccine Technology Laboratory, Center for Immunotherapy & Precision Immuno-Oncology), technical laboratories for biomedical support services, Discovery Accelerator (Computational Sciences for Big Data) and Digital Research and Learning Laboratories.

    Additionally, while planning is in early stages, Cleveland Clinic’s Global Center for Pathogen Research & Human Health will include approximately 400,000-square-feet of additional research space to be located along Cedar Ave. between E. 105thand E. 96th streets for the growth of research operations and training and innovations.
  • Earned more than $16 million in NIH grantsrelated to pathogen research in 2021. Grants support research into COVID-19 vaccine candidate, development of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs, and a vaccine for emerging tick-borne virus.
  • Recruited world leadersin immunology, cancer biology, immune-oncology and pathogen research as well as technology development and education to address public health threats such as HIV/AIDS, Dengue fever, Zika and COVID-19. This team plans the recruitment of more than 300 scientists in the next 5-7 years

The Cleveland Innovation District will be a center of excellence that acts as a catalyst for ongoing investment in Northeast Ohio, including attracting and creating new businesses and talent needed to ensure the state is a leader in the healthcare and IT sectors.

Following today’s press conference, a panel discussion included: Bill Koehler (moderator), Team NEO CEO; Serpil Erzurum, MD, Chief Research and Academic Officer, Cleveland Clinic; Michael Goldberg, Executive Director of the Veale Center for Entrepreneurship and Associate Professor of Design and Innovation, Case Western Reserve University; Harlan Sands, JD, MBA, President, Cleveland State University; Julie Jacono, Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, MetroHealth; and David Sylva n, President, UH Ventures.

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