Rosalind Franklin University (RFU) held a virtual Grand Opening ceremony to celebrate the first anniversary of the Innovation and Research Park (IRP) on Jan. 28. The celebration featured respected speakers such as University leadership, government representatives, leaders in bioscience industries as well as economic development leaders. Governor J.B Pritzker gave the keynote address and TUFF President and CEO Kevin Byrne was also a featured speaker during the Economic Development Leaders portion of the event.
TUFF developed the $50 million IRP on behalf of Rosalind Franklin to assist the University in accelerating their nationally recognized research enterprise. RFU occupies two-thirds of the 100,000 square foot facility with space dedicated to state-of-the-art research labs, offices and six disease-based centers. The remaining third is available to industry partners, such as the IRP’s first industry tenant Inspirotec. The facility also houses the Helix 51 incubator which provides cutting edge laboratory space for faculty and startups.
The facility was designed by TUFF to intentionally combine industry and academia to allow for strong collaborative opportunities and to become a spiritual center to the campus.
Virtual Tour of the IRP: Cushman & Wakefield | RFU Innovation & Research Park (viewmyspace.com)
