Cleveland Clinic Foundation wants to acquire the vacant Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute Florida building in western Port St. Lucie for biomedical research.
The Clinic envisions employing 100 scientists in the high-tech laboratory to develop therapies for cancer, allergies, infectious diseases and neurological issues in conjunction with its Lerner Research Institute and a biotech company.
“The Clinic has a significant commitment to the growth of an academic medical center in Florida,” said Dr. Joseph Iannotti, chief of staff, in a May 22 letter to the St. Lucie County Economic Development Council.
Cleveland Clinic has a tentative deal with “an international biotechnology company for collaboration in the establishment of a biomedical translational research institute within the City of Port St. Lucie,” Iannotti’s letter said.
Lerner Institute scientists work closely with Cleveland Clinic physicians to use new laboratory discoveries to formulate therapies to improve patient care nationwide, Iannotti said.
The 108,000-square-foot laboratory – which cost the city, county and state governments at least $64 million to build – has sat vacant since VGTI Florida shut down in October 2015 in part because of the loss of federal health research grants.
The building at 9801 SW Discovery Way is a short walk in the Tradition Center for Innovation from Cleveland Clinic Florida Tradition Hospital and the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies.
Port St. Lucie City Manager Russ Blackburn asked the City Council to authorize him to negotiate with Cleveland Clinic leaders to establish the biomedical research facility at the former VGTI building.
The council was to decide Tuesday night whether to enter into negotiations with Cleveland Clinic for the VGTI building. The council was also to consider a $14.5 million offer from JBS Renovations on behalf of SinnCal Labs LLC, a cannabis testing laboratory.
The offer was similar to a proposal by RER Ventures of Coral Gables, which the distressed real estate firm abandoned in December after being unable to line up potential tenants.
JBS Renovations proposed putting $2.9 million down, paying $580,000 in annual interest for five years, and making a $11.6 million balloon payment after five years, city records show.
Cleveland Clinic offered to assume financial responsibility for the VGTI building and take over all maintenance and operating expenses.
It costs the city $1.5 million per year for maintenance, repairs, utilities, taxes and assessments, city records show. The city took over the building in 2017.