How do corporate R&D partnerships enhance innovation through LifeSciKY’s incubator?

LifeSciKY connects corporate R&D teams with an equipped wet-lab incubator, shared instrumentation, and strategic partners to accelerate translational research, de-risk proof-of-concept work, and shorten time-to-impact.

How does LifeSciKY function as a life science incubator for companies and startups?

The incubator provides affordable lab benches, shared equipment, procurement efficiencies, mentorship, and commercialization programming—allowing teams to focus on science while gaining operational support.

What collaboration opportunities exist for corporate partners?

Corporate partners can sponsor equipment, co-develop research projects, mentor resident companies, and pilot technologies in collaboration with LifeSciKY’s resident startups and innovation network.

How does LifeSciKY support entrepreneurs learning how to start a biotech company?

LifeSciKY lowers barriers to launch with ready-to-use labs, advisory access, procurement platforms, and connections to translational research, regulatory guidance, and go-to-market support.

What advantages does the OneNKY Center provide?

OneNKY centralizes growth organizations and LifeSciKY’s lab facility in a single hub, concentrating talent, partners, programming, and resources to streamline R&D collaboration and scale.

Fueling Innovation Across Kentucky with R&D Partnerships

How does LifeSciKY Support R&D Partnerships?

LifeSciKY is Kentucky’s nonprofit life science incubator, purpose-built to accelerate translational research, startup formation, and commercialization across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Anchored in a state-of-the-art 15,000-square-foot wet lab at the OneNKY Center in Covington, LifeSciKY serves as the nexus between industry innovation, entrepreneurial energy, and institutional research, supporting and leveraging R&D partnerships to drive innovation in our state.

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LifeSciKY Partnerships

Partnerships and alliances are foundational to the LifeSciKY ecosystem. We have forged several diverse and essential institutional and R&D partnerships that enhance the services we provide in our life sciences incubator as well as out in the field.

ThermoFisher Scientific: Technical Support and Infrastructure Enhancements

Thermo Fisher Scientific is a Founding Sponsor, bringing technical support and infrastructure enhancements to the incubator, significantly bolstering LifeSciKY’s capacity to support early-stage R&D. The goal of this corporate R&D partnership is to help reduce operational hurdles for life sciences startups. Learn about this partnership.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a partner with LifeSciKY and continue to support the growth of the life science sector in Kentucky,” said Kim Baltier, vice president of global commercial operations, biosciences at ThermoFisher Scientific. (Quoted in April 15, 2025 Yahoo Finance article.)

Prendio-BioProcure: Procurement Solutions and Cost Savings for Biotech Startups

Our strategic corporate R&D partnership with Boston-based Prendio-BioProcure enables us to provide enhanced support for local biotech startups. Through this partnership, LifeSciKY Lab Residents gain discounted access to rendio-BioProcure’s streamlined procurement applications, preferred supplier networks, and cost-saving opportunities. Learn about this partnership.

“Northern Kentucky is a highly collaborative community, and that’s what drew us to LifeSciKY,” said Tyler Mizenko, Chief Revenue Officer of Prendio-BioProcure. “We’ve spent more than a decade supporting biotech founders as they grow and scale, and we’re excited to bring that experience to this emerging ecosystem – providing the operational efficiencies that allow companies to focus on the science and advance their work.” (Quoted in June 6, 2025 LinkNKY article.)

Project Medtech: Early-Stage Opportunity Assessments

Cleveland‑based Project Medtech partners with LifeSciKY to support early‑stage companies with opportunity assessments covering commercial viability, funding potential, risk, and competitive analysis. This corporate R&D partnerships also provide advisory services in strategic finance, operations, regulatory pathways, and market entry for biotech startups, bolstering their capacity for sustainable growth and accelerated product development. Learn more about this partnership.

“As a Kentucky native, I’m particularly excited about this partnership between Project Medtech and LifeSciKY,” said Jamie Easterling, Chief Commercial Officer at Project Medtech. “We are eager to assist the talented Lab Residents as they strengthen their businesses, execute their innovative visions, and build a strong, long-term presence in the Commonwealth.” (Quoted in May 20, 2025 LinkNKY article.)

New Riff: Investing in the Future of Science and Innovation in Kentucky

In one of our more unique corporate R&D partnerships, Northern Kentucky-based New Riff Distilling launched an exclusive single barrel bourbon, with proceeds from the limited-edition release helping to fund laboratory space for early-stage life sciences companies at LifeSciKY’s new facility in Covington. It celebrates shared values of innovation, craftsmanship, and local impact, connecting Kentucky’s iconic bourbon heritage with the state’s emerging life sciences future. Learn more about this partnership.

“New Riff is proud to partner with LifeSciKY, a local organization helping shape Kentucky’s future in science and discovery,” said Mollie Lewis, President, New Riff Distilling. “Just as we’re rooted in quality and driven by innovation, LifeSciKY is nurturing the next wave of thinkers, builders, and problem solvers. This collaboration is a celebration of shared values: supporting innovation, investing in our region, and building something meaningful together, right here at home.” (Quoted in July 8, 2025 Northern Kentucky Tribune article.)

How Does LifeSciKY Serve as a Life Science Incubator Supporting and Startup R&D?

As a dedicated incubator, LifeSciKY provides:

Fully equipped, affordable wet lab space in a high-impact innovation hub to catalyze research-driven projects.

Access to shared instrumentation and resources from both the lab facility and strategic partners—lowering barriers for R&D and accelerating discovery.

An ecosystem enhanced by synergy with R&D partnerships makes LifeSciKY a uniquely powerful life science incubator.

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to gain access to flexible and fully equipped lab space, state-of-the-art equipment, and a wide range of additional benefits to help bring their innovative work to life.

How Do R&D Partnerships and Incubator Infrastructure Benefit the Broader Ecosystem?

LifeSciKY stands at the intersection of R&D partnerships and next-generation innovation as a life science incubator. R&D partnerships help to:

Inject industry-grade infrastructure and mentorship into early-stage R&D, accelerating the commercialization process.

Amplify resource accessibility for startups, fostering scalable, collaborative innovation.

Build regional credibility, drawing more enterprises into Kentucky’s life sciences network.

Attract top talent and capital by showcasing best-in-class R&D facilities and partnership potential.

By blending lab infrastructure, strategic sponsorships, procurement efficiency, and research linkages, LifeSciKY empowers entrepreneurship and corporate collaboration alike, positioning Kentucky as a magnet for discoveries, talent, and economic growth.