Imagine moving your biotech or life sciences startup into a fully outfitted laboratory space, ready for immediate use. That’s the promise of the Health + Life Science Exchange (HELIX) in New Brunswick, where JLL is introducing plug-and-play lab suites tailored to the needs of today’s fast-paced innovators. As New Jersey’s innovation economy accelerates, demand for high-quality, move-in-ready lab facilities is surging and HELIX aims to set a new benchmark.
The HELIX Advantage: Suite Features and Flexibility
The initial phase of HELIX, known as H1, will deliver a cutting-edge, 574,000-square-foot building scheduled to open in late 2025.
Five flexible lab and office suites on the 10th floor, ranging from 3,500 to 9,500 square feet, are already drawing attention. These spaces are designed to eliminate the delays and costs typically associated with laboratory buildouts.
- State-of-the-art infrastructure: Each suite features mobile casework, biosafety cabinets or fume hoods, centralized air, vacuum, and CO2 systems, and modern office furnishings.
- Streamlined startup: Tenants skip the lengthy construction phase, moving directly into a space that’s ready for research, saving both time and capital.
- Prime connectivity: With direct access to the New Jersey Innovation Hub and proximity to the upgraded New Brunswick train station, tenants enjoy seamless connections to collaborators and transit.
Building a Collaborative Innovation Ecosystem
HELIX is more than a real estate project, it’s an integrated ecosystem fostering research, commercialization, and academic-industry partnerships.
The New Jersey Innovation Hub, managed by Portal Innovations, provides shared lab amenities, including tissue culture rooms, microscopy equipment, and cold storage. Tenants can also utilize a vivarium run by Rutgers and participate in campus-wide events and conferences.
JLL’s leasing strategy recognizes that growing companies need more than physical space. HELIX’s programming, amenities, and networking opportunities are designed to connect entrepreneurs with academic leaders, industry veterans, and potential partners, fueling a dynamic culture of innovation.
Anchoring Growth and Future Expansion
The H1 tower will also house the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and a translational research center, cementing the campus’s role as a scientific anchor. Looking ahead, future phases of the 1.5 million-square-foot district plan to add a research tower for Nokia Bell Labs, more lab space, medical student housing, and a mix of residential units to support the growing community.
This ambitious development is powered by a coalition of public and private partners, including New Brunswick Development Corp., Rutgers University, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, RWJBarnabas Health, Hackensack Meridian Health, and Middlesex County. Their joint vision is to create a robust pipeline for new ventures and technology transfer in the region.
- Strategic alliances: The Innovation Hub unites key stakeholders to accelerate commercialization and nurture high-growth startups.
- Scalable solutions: Plug-and-play suites serve both emerging startups and established firms entering the U.S. market, ensuring flexibility as tenants grow.
- Commitment to excellence: HELIX embodies New Jersey’s dedication to fostering a globally competitive life sciences sector, providing top-tier infrastructure and support.
Setting a New Standard for Life Sciences
The HELIX district’s plug-and-play lab suites signal a bold step forward for New Brunswick and New Jersey’s life sciences landscape. By combining advanced facilities, a prime location, and a thriving ecosystem, HELIX is poised to attract premier innovators and catalyze breakthroughs. JLL’s launch marks a pivotal moment in transforming this district into a magnet for scientific progress and economic growth.
Plug-and-Play Labs Propel New Jersey’s Innovation District Forward