Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is partnering with Innovate Springfield to provide lab space and business support for entrepreneurs and researchers working to develop new products and technologies.
Dr. Don Torry, associate dean for research at SIU School of Medicine, said the partnership brings together scientific research capabilities and entrepreneurial expertise to help innovators move ideas closer to market.
“We have some lab spaces available that we can rent out,” Torry said during an interview on the WTAX Morning Newswatch. “This partnership with Innovate Springfield now brings together not only the inventor but also the business side so those entrepreneurs have both things available to them to really bring their products to fruition.”
Innovate Springfield is known for supporting startup businesses and entrepreneurs, while SIU School of Medicine offers research facilities and laboratory resources that are often difficult for early-stage companies to access.
Torry said the arrangement is designed to help entrepreneurs who need specialized lab environments to test products, prototypes or medical research concepts. In the past, those spaces were primarily used by SIU faculty members launching spin-off companies connected to their research.
He said many researchers have scientific expertise but lack experience on the business side of product development.
“Most of my faculty are biochemical, biological scientists, so business is not in our vernacular,” Torry said. “This allows them to have some of that expertise to help them as well.”
The partnership has been in discussion for several years, beginning before the COVID-19 pandemic delayed progress.
According to Torry, the effort is not expected to generate major financial gains for the medical school. Instead, he said the goal is to support innovation and economic development in the Springfield area.
“There’s no great fiscal benefit for us,” Torry said. “It’s more of we want to help the community, give options for people that need those lab spaces to be able to carry out their work.”
Past projects conducted in the labs have included research into hearing loss treatments and endocrine disruptors. Torry said none of the projects have fully reached the marketplace yet, but several remain in development.
He added the opportunities could extend beyond medicine. The available lab space may also support agricultural research, including work involving seeds and crop production.
Torry said the partnership could create more awareness about the available facilities and attract additional entrepreneurs looking for research space in central Illinois.
“We look forward to helping the Springfield area community with entrepreneurship ideas,” he said.
