Two more firms serve latest blow to ailing Science Park

By Drew Swan

PATRICK MCGARVEY/YH Financially-strapped Science Park will have to deal with the loss of two more of its biotech firms.

Alexion, a drug-developing firm, was founded by Leonard Bell, MED '84. A new company, Alexicon was drawn to Science Park by its low operating and rental costs, which offset any structural handicaps the building may have had.

As Alexion established itself, the site's run-down image and and infrastructure presented obstacles to growth. Bell would not list specific complaints, but instead blamed the Park's "general environment," which includes barren lots and abandoned buildings. "The quality of development is insufficient to keep us here," he explained.

Although Bell denounced the Park's operators' "unclear aims" for the project, he would not single out Yale, the city, or state for blame. "None of the parties have really shown any interest.... They have all displayed the lowest quality of home ownership," he said. According to Bell, the Park Corporation knew as early as last year that Alexion was looking to move elsewhere, but made no attempts to retain one of its leading companies.

Tom Mizelle, vice-president of Vion, said that his company also has plans to vacate the troubled facility. "In light of Science Park's financial situation, staying here is not a viable option," he said. Vion needs room to expand, and according to Mizelle, "there is no acceptable space available" in the Park.

Vion and Alexion's departures futher jeopardize plans to build a $12 million biomedical research center near Yale-New Haven Hospital on the city's Route 34 corridor. Park owners agreed to build the new facility in 1992, but developers have refused to go forward with the project until Science Park cleans up its financial woes. Bell doubted that Alexion would move into another Park Corporation venture. "Developers are only as good as their last project,"
he said.

Not all the news is bad for Science Park, however. Kevin Rakin, executive vice-president of Genaissance, denied this week's Yale Daily News reports that his firm is looking to move elsewhere. Rakin stated that his company is satisfied with the Park, and plans to expand within its confines. "I am cautiously optimistic that Science Park can grow into a world-class biotech facility," he said.

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