ATLANTA, GA (April 18, 2012) – Cooper Carry, the internationally recognized design firm, announced today the opening of the Global Center for Medical Innovation (GCMI).
Billed as the Southeast’s first comprehensive medical device innovation center, GCMI seeks to unite core members of the medical device community, including universities, research centers, clinicians, established device and drug companies, investors, and early-stage companies, with the goal of accelerating the commercialization of innovative medical technology.
The single-story, 12,000-square-foot-facility located at 575 14th St. in Midtown near Georgia Tech and Atlantic Station, will house design, material and mechanical engineering resources, along with rapid andfunctional prototyping equipment capable of producing medical devices for development, pre-clinical testing and clinical studies.
Designed to meet FDA guidelines and also centralize diverse programs and research centers that were previously scattered across the country, the new facility is considered a significant milestone and the first of its kind in the Southeast.
“We designed GCMI’s headquarters with the idea of adaptability, functionality, sustainability and safety in mind,” said Mark Jensen (top left photo), Cooper Carry’s science and technology principal and project designer. “For the very first time there is a united space for members of the medical device community to interface with the tools and services they need to be successful.”
Working alongside a consulting firm that specializes in FDA compliance, Cooper Carry designed the project to meet FDA requirements for GMP validation. The project includes ISO 7 & 8 level clean rooms, device fabrication, assembly areas and office space.
Supported by $2.6 million in funding - $1.3 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and $1.3 million matched by the Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) - the facility also includes features such as:
• Engineering and computer aided design spaces
• Clean assembly and sterile packaging
• A physical testing lab
• Training area
“We are thrilled with the outcome of our new, state-of-the art facility,” said H. Wayne Hodges (top right photo), executive director of GCMI. “Our aim at GCMI is to facilitate and accelerate medical technology, and Cooper Carry’s design expertise certainly moved us one step closer to achieving that goal.”
Contact:
Hadley Creekmuir
Wilbert News Strategies
o: 404.965.5024
C: 404.556.0010
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