As further evidence of governor Andrew M. Cuomo's successful establishment of a dynamic and growing bio-pharma sector in Buffalo, New York, Albany Molecular Research Inc. (AMRI) and PerkinElmer, Inc. have entered into a strategic collaboration in connection with the opening of AMRI's drug discovery center as part of the new Buffalo Medical Innovation and Commercialization Hub (BMIC Hub).

Co-located on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and part of the larger commitment by the State of New York with SUNY Polytechnic Institute, the hub will accelerate drug discovery and innovation, and ultimately support the creation of more than 250 high tech jobs.

As the anchor partner of the BMIC Hub, AMRI is able to provide integrated and translational approaches, including the deep expertise and capabilities required to move drug development programs from early discovery to the clinic. Located all within a single site on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, AMRI will be working closely with BMIC and off-campus customers and partners to provide solutions for their drug discovery and translational science needs. Scientists at the BMIC hub will be able to leverage AMRI's chemistry and biology expertise, alongside PerkinElmer's informatics technologies and high content screening, cellular imaging, and analytical instruments. PerkinElmer will also deploy technical and informatics experts to facilitate technological and drug discovery innovations. The collaboration will also provide the foundation for new research and development opportunities and catalyze the expansion of the BMIC Hub.

"We are delighted to work together on this unique public-private endeavour with PerkinElmer, which is recognized in the industry for its leading drug discovery technologies and informatics platforms, that are critical for the success of AMRI's discovery and development businesses," said Dr. Michael A. Luther, senior vice president, discovery and development, AMRI.

"PerkinElmer's technologies will provide us with the ability to acquire, manage, integrate and analyze large complex data from the various translational platforms needed to drive better decisions in drug discovery. This will enable us to accelerate the knowledge and information our customers and partners need and strengthen our end-to-end integrated discovery offerings."

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to deliver the platforms, informatics technologies and services to AMRI for its new center of excellence for drug discovery and translational research," said Jim Corbett, president, human health, PerkinElmer. "We look forward to supporting the BMIC's expansion by working closely with additional companies that establish lab facilities at this site, providing scientists with solutions and services that will advance their research and lead them toward the next big breakthrough."

"Industry collaborations are a natural outgrowth of Governor Cuomo's innovation-driven economic development strategy, and the result is rapid job creation in Western New York and increased opportunities for ground-breaking breakthroughs," said SUNY Poly vice president for research Dr. Michael Liehr. "These types of strategic relationships will serve as a magnet for bringing other global partners and jobs to Buffalo and build the foundation for additional collaborations, including cross-sector opportunities with our IT and green energy hubs."

AMRI is a global contract research and manufacturing organization that has been working with the life sciences industry to improve patient outcomes and the quality of life for more than two decades.

PerkinElmer, Inc. is a global leader focused on improving the health and safety of people and the environment.

The Buffalo Medical Innovation and Commercialization Hub (BMIC Hub) at Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is a new public-private pharmaceutical research and development initiative in Buffalo, announced by New York governor Andrew M. Cuomo in December 2012.

SUNY Poly is New York's globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem, formed from the merger of the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and SUNY Institute of Technology.