Formal opening nears for N.C. Research Campus

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — The North Carolina Research Campus is rapidly nearing its grand opening, and management of the $1 billion-plus project is offering a sneak preview on May 15.

That evening, the NCRC and WRAL Local Tech Wire are co-hosting a networking event, the primary purpose of which is to update the progress of the life science research facility. And Clyde Higgs, vice president of business development, says a lot is happening on the site of a former textile plant in Kannapolis.

“The challenge is making this happen on Mr. Murdock’s timetable,” Higgs said in an interview with WRAL Local Tech Wire. “But the limitation of physics and weather prevents us from finishing the build-out on his ambitious schedule.”

Billionaire David Murdock, who owns Dole Food and Castle & Cooke, the development firm building the campus, is the driving force behind the project. He keeps a close eye on it, too, according to Higgs.

“I see Mr. Murdock at least monthly. The Research Campus in Kannapolis is Mr. Murdock’s passion,” Higgs said. “He gets excited about the potential of the universities' collaborating on cutting-edge science that will ultimately have a positive effect on human health. He is intimately involved in the development of the campus.”

Higgs will discuss business development efforts for the campus at the networking event. Lynne Scott Safrit, president of Castle & Cooke N.C., will discuss construction of the 350-acre project.

Last month, the NCRC announced that Pharmaceutical Product Development would open a 300-employee operation in Kannapolis. PPD is the latest in a series of partnerships between the campus and the private sector. NCRC also is working with Duke, the University of North Carolina System and other institutions to launch operations onsite.

Fred Eshelman, founder and chief executive officer of Pharmaceutical Product Development, certainly was impressed by what he saw at NCRC before deciding to establish a presence there:

“My jaw dropped as we walked around and I realized that this was indeed a unique, complete and scientifically outstanding concept, which is rapidly becoming a reality,” he said.

More deals are coming, too, according to Higgs.

“Yes, we are talking to name brand companies in various sectors (biologics, medical devices, and food science-nutrition),” Higgs said.

Murdock also established a venture capital fund to help draw new companies to Kannapolis. Higgs oversees that effort as well.

“You will see us being active in 2008,” he said. “We are also partnering with the top venture groups in N.C. regarding deal flow and syndication.”

Even as construction continues on a wide range of facilities at the site, Higgs said he is most excited about the collaboration he sees taking place among companies, institutions and people involved in the project.

“One can not help to become excited by the potential synergies that will occur at the Campus,” he said. “Anecdotally, I recently saw a scientist from Duke University meeting with a scientist from N.C. State. If you look at some of the great innovations in the last decade, typically they happen in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. We are confident that this will be the case in Kannapolis.

“Most companies realize that true innovation doesn’t necessarily occur inside their 4 walls or in a vacuum,” Higgs added. “Companies are looking externally to partner on solving difficult technical problems. What better place is there to collaborate than Kannapolis, where you will have eight universities, a hospital, private industry, and the workforce development program from the [North Carolina] Community Colleges.”

The networking event is scheduled for 5:30-8 p.m. at the Old Cabarrus Bank Building adjacent to the campus.