Coriell Institute breaks ground on new Life Sciences Campus in Camden
October 17
On Thursday, October 9, the Coriell Institute for Medical Research, a longtime partner to Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU) on the Camden Health Sciences Campus, broke ground on its new life sciences campus. The state-of-the-art facility will also include the NJ Coriell Labs Innovation Center, a Strategic Innovation Center (SIC) designated by the NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).
Located just a few blocks from its current home, the new building is expected to be completed in early 2028. It will generate 100 new permanent jobs in addition to supporting hundreds of construction jobs over the course of the project.
“We view this project as Coriell 2.0, continuing and expanding on our founder, Dr. Lewis Coriell’s commitment to the City of Camden and vision for life sciences research,” said Jean-Pierre Issa, M.D., president and CEO of the Coriell Institute, adjunct professor of biomedical sciences at CMSRU, and a member of CMSRU’s Medical School Board. “The Institute has been an anchor institution in Camden and at the forefront of scientific discovery for 72 years. Leveraging our standing in the scientific community and expertise in research and biobanking, we expect this project to be the catalyst for building a life sciences ecosystem in the region and making Camden a life sciences research destination.”
The groundbreaking ceremony drew a large audience, including N.J. Governor Phil Murphy, local and state officials, community members, and Annette C. Reboli, MD, dean of CMSRU. Dr. Reboli was joined by several other members of the CMSRU community: Darren Boehning, PhD, associate dean for research; Roland Schwarting, MD, chair of pathology; and Peter Coriell, a CMSRU third-year medical student and grandson of Dr. Lewis Coriell, founder of the Coriell Institute.
“This is a historic moment not only for the Coriell Institute, but for Camden and for the future of biomedical research in New Jersey,” said Dr. Reboli. “Coriell’s new campus will strengthen our shared mission of advancing science and medicine through discovery, innovation, and collaboration. I was honored to join Dr. Issa, Governor Murphy, Congressman Donald Norcross, Mayor Victor Carstarphen, and so many leaders from across the state to celebrate this milestone.”
Founded in 1953 by Dr. Lewis L. Coriell, the Institute has made pioneering contributions to biomedical research, including supporting clinical trials for the polio vaccine. It has operated for more than 50 years as a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported cell repository and remains internationally recognized for its research and biobanking expertise. In 2023, Coriell established the Camden Cancer Research Center (CCRC) in partnership with CMSRU and Cooper University Health Care, establishing southern New Jersey’s first basic cancer research center.
The new campus will build on this legacy, featuring 45,000 square feet of incubator space for biotechnology companies, a vivarium, biobanking and laboratory services, corporate suites, and Coriell’s new headquarters and research center.