Tübingen, Germany, October 26, 2021: CeGaT, a global provider of genetic analyses, is starting the construction of a large extension building after a two-year planning period. The new facility will triple the office and laboratory space to 12,000m2, meeting the space requirements of the rapidly growing company.
At the joint groundbreaking ceremony with CeGaT’s managing directors Dr. Dirk Biskup and Dr. Dr. Saskia Biskup, Tübingen’s lord mayor Boris Palmer, and the architects Maren Dannien and Matthias Roller, the first construction phase was officially started. The new facility, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, is directly connected to the current building at Paul-Ehrlich-Strasse 23. Additional laboratory and office space will be created on three floors to provide room for 400 to 500 employees upon completion. CeGaT expects to invest 20 to 25 million euros in the company headquarters in the Tübingen Technology Park.
Rapid growth in an emerging sector
Dr. Dirk Biskup is excited about the beginning of the construction work: “The start of construction is an important new phase for CeGaT. When we moved into our company building in 2014, we could lease offices and assumed that we would have enough space for a long time. However, CeGaT has grown so much in the last six years that with now over 300 employees, we had to look for more office and laboratory space. We have found a good temporary solution with rented rooms in the Eisenbahnstraße and the Mohlstraße. However, we look forward to the time when the entire team can be reunited in the Paul-Ehrlich-Strasse. With the new facility, we have room for further growth and can serve the increasing global demand for molecular genetic diagnostics and sequencing.”
Dr. Dr. Saskia Biskup adds: “The location in Tübingen is central for us; here is now an outstanding diversity of world leaders in the field of precision diagnostics and therapy in clinics, research, and companies. Our patients, who come from all over the world, love Tübingen. Having our headquarters in Tübingen is also a great opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration. It will benefit us in the long term in international competition and secure jobs in the region.”
Strenghtening Tübingen’s “Cyber Valley”
Tübingen’s lord mayor Boris Palmer also sees the project in a positive light: “The extension will strengthen the importance of the Tübingen Technology Park. As a globally successful company, CeGaT is a strong flagship for Tübingen and an important partner and employer in the region. The course for the company’s further success is set with the new building, which of course also benefits the city with 100 to 200 additional jobs.”
Sustainability as a central criterion in construction planning
Architect Maren Dannien reflects: “Planning the annex building was an exciting task because a diagnostics and research facility with in-house laboratories and servers has special requirements. The sustainability of the building was also a key aspect, which is why we included, for example, renewable raw materials such as a wooden facade structure, as well as geothermal and photovoltaic systems in the building supply technology. In this way, we cover 92 percent of our energy needs through renewable sources. The measures taken exceed the environmental standard KFW 55 and sustainably reduce CO2 emissions not only during the construction of the building but also during its subsequent operation.
We also considered the neighbors during the planning phase. To avoid noise emissions, the new building was positioned in front of the existing building, like a protective screen in a U-shape. Also, the cafeteria is located in the rear of the building, and the ventilation towers face away from the neighborhood into the inner courtyard.
And of course, the design of the building could not fall short: We planned large, bright rooms where the team will enjoy spending time. The grassed atrium with a water feature, the cafeteria with a wooden terrace, and the spacious roof terrace with a pergola and a magnificent view of Tübingen are all inviting places.”
About CeGaT
CeGaT GmbH, founded in Tübingen, Germany, in 2009, is a global provider of genetic analyses for a wide range of medical, research, and pharmaceutical applications
The company combines the latest sequencing technology with its many years of medical expertise – dedicated to identifying the genetic cause of disease and supporting patient care. For research and the pharmaceutical industry, CeGaT offers a broad portfolio of sequencing services and tumor analyses. CeGaT generates the data basis for clinical studies and medical innovations, driving science forward with own findings. The owner-managed company stands for independence, extensive personal customer service, and premium quality. CeGaT’s laboratory is accredited according to CAP/CLIA and DIN EN ISO 15189, hence meeting the highest international standards. To keep the responsibility for the whole project and to maintain the best results, CeGaT carries out all steps in-house and under scientific supervision.