Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Circuit Clinical, a clinical research and technology company participating in the START-UP NY program, will create more than 100 new jobs and expand its operations in Buffalo. Through a strategic partnership with University at Buffalo’s Buffalo Institute for Genomics and Data Analytics, Circuit Clinical will create over 100 jobs for clinicians and technicians who will manage patients participating in hundreds of new clinical trials that Circuit Clinical will bring to Western New York.
UB BIG will invest $1.1 million over five years to support the company’s growth in Buffalo. The collaboration will enable more patients to participate in the clinical trials of drugs that could provide relief for their medical conditions. The advancement of the clinical trial process also expedites the process for drug approval by the Food and Drug Administration.
“Our administration is working to attract a new wave of talent and economic growth upstate and Western New York’s transformation continues to serve as a model of our progress,” Governor Cuomo said. “Circuit Clinical’s move to Buffalo will create jobs, generate economic opportunity and strengthen the region’s role as a leader in the future of medicine. This partnership is a metaphor for the new Buffalo and we will continue working together to build on our progress and continue moving Western New York forward.”
About Circuit Clinical
Circuit Clinical, formerly Empirican PRN, brings new patients and physicians into clinical trials by significantly enhancing outreach to doctors and their patients about available clinical trials. The company uses a process to simplify enrollment procedures for clinical trials to increase both doctors and patient participation in these trials.
Formed in 2014, and accepted into START-UP NY in 2016, the company uses its clinical research site network dedicated to rapid, high-quality patient recruitment and enrollment backed by Current, its U.S. Food and Drug Administration-compliant software platform. As part of its engagement with UB BIG, Circuit Clinical will expand its technology platform and bring software development jobs to Buffalo.
The economic development partnership will enable UB to be at the forefront of using Circuit Clinical’s innovative capabilities to support UB clinical trials. The partnership will enable Clinical Circuit to create over 100 jobs in the next five years for clinicians and technicians who will manage thousands of clinical trials the company will recruit to Western New York. The UB BIG investments will be made in increments as Clinical Circuit achieves annual job, investment and product development milestones.
Circuit Clinical had initially planned to expand its clinical trial process in Denver, Colorado, which is home to significant clusters of medical device, pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies. However, thanks to Governor Cuomo's emphasis on Upstate revitalization through the START-UP NY and 43 North initiative, as well as other local support efforts, Circuit Clinical decided to expand in Western New York. Circuit Clinical was also a semifinalist in this year’s 43North business plan competition. It is located in the UB Downtown Gateway Building.
“Partnering with UB BIG helps us transform the patient experience in clinical research,” said Circuit Clinical CEO Jim Papineau. “By enhancing our software through our relationship with UB, we’ll personalize each patient’s participation in a way that hasn’t been done before. We’ll bring patients the latest research choices in the safety and convenience of the doctors’ offices they know and trust best. Our goal is to help bring new medicines to market faster and lower the costs of developing them.”
“This is a win-win,” said BIG Executive Director Brian McIlroy. “By combining the university’s assets with that of Circuit Clinical, we can cultivate a positive economic impact, while simultaneously enhancing clinical trial opportunities for the Buffalo Niagara region. UB, leveraging its Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA), is going to pilot Clinical Circuit’s software as it evaluates novel methods for improving clinical trials.”
“This is a perfect example of what START-UP NY brings to the table – an early-stage, innovative company collaborating with a world-class research institution to develop new science and create new jobs in New York State,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “If it weren’t for START-UP NY and the better business climate Governor Cuomo has created, this fast-growing, high-tech medical company would have been on its way to another city or state, and taking more than 100 well-paying jobs with it.”
“Circuit Clinical is just one of the 77 START-UP NY businesses UB is sponsoring in an effort to connect the businesses of the future with the strengths and technical capabilities of a major research university,” said Dr. Satish Tripathi, President of University at Buffalo and Regional Council Co-chair. “UB students interning at this company are benefiting from being part of a high tech medical startup while also well positioning themselves for a promising career that will allow them to remain in Buffalo.”
Senator Tim Kennedy said, “From our talented workforce to our world class educational institutions, our region is home to an array of assets that are continuing to attract jobs and talent. Under Governor Cuomo, this state is working to create constructive partnerships between the public, private and educational sectors to leverage growth and encourage companies to come to Western New York. Circuit Clinical’s decision to work with the University at Buffalo is yet another example of how New York’s business climate is changing and providing a strong foundations for businesses to explore new opportunities and expand right here in Buffalo.”
Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “From growing the high-tech manufacturing industry at Solar City to making critical investments in our roads and bridges, New York State is instilling a new level of growth and confidence in our region. Under Governor Cuomo, we are sending the message that our economy is growing stronger and providing new opportunities for companies to build and grow in our region. I am excited to see the partnership between Circuit Clinical University at Buffalo grow and I look forward to seeing it take our region toward the next level of growth.”
Mayor Byron W. Brown said, "Circuit Clinical's expansion of its operations in Buffalo means new jobs and opportunities for City residents. This expansion builds on the progress we are making in our City to further strengthen our economy, create jobs and increase growth. I thank Governor Andrew Cuomo and START-UP NY for helping us continue to grow a positive business climate in Buffalo that is attracting major investment from new and expanding high-tech, state-of-the art companies."