IndieBio-Backed Startups Gain Exclusive Access to Customized Science Exchange Outsourced R&D Platform, Helping to Level Playing Field with Larger Biopharma Companies

PALO ALTO, CA, UNITED STATES - Jul 10, 2017 - Science Exchange, the world’s leading platform for outsourced research and development (R&D), today announced a strategic partnership with IndieBio, the world’s largest seed biotech accelerator. IndieBio-backed companies will now have exclusive access to a customized Science Exchange-powered marketplace, where they can instantly order R&D services from a network of more than 2,500 qualified scientific service providers.

“We are always looking for the right mix of resources to support the success of our biotech companies. The Science Exchange platform will give them access to a premier set of research services, along with contracting support to protect companies’ intellectual property and confidentiality,” said Jun Axup, Ph.D. and science director of IndieBio. “We want our biotech companies to succeed, and at the same time see the industry as a whole move faster and discover cures to more diseases. With Science Exchange, the companies in our program now have access to wide range of services, such as comparative data, chemical synthesis and next-gen sequencing, which will help them move their projects ahead more quickly and cost-effectively.”

IndieBio is best known for its investments in innovative startups with a focus on biology as a technology. Companies from all over the world apply to be part of IndieBio’s four-month acceleration program, which includes funding, dedicated mentorship and 24/7 access to a co-working space and bio-safety labs. IndieBio companies solve problems across a wide range of industries, such as the future of food, biopharma and healthcare, agtech, regenerative medicine, neurotech and biomaterials.

This partnership addresses the unique needs of IndieBio’s R&D-focused startups, leveling the playing field with Science Exchange’s established global pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients by giving IndieBio’s startups ready access to the expertise and infrastructure found within the Science Exchange network of service providers.

"Science Exchange offers scientists and researchers efficient access to a network of highly qualified service providers," said Dr. Elizabeth Iorns, Founder & CEO of Science Exchange. “IndieBio’s companies are working at a rapid pace, and the key to advancing leading-edge research is eliminating roadblocks to innovation. We are thrilled to serve as an innovation catalyst for IndioBio’s biotech companies, to help them discover and bring products to market more quickly and efficiently.”

The Science Exchange platform will help IndieBio-supported companies:

• Gain immediate access to qualified service providers. Science Exchange offers a network of more than 2,600 service providers that have been qualified through a stringent, ISO 9001-certified evaluation process that includes metrics tied to performance on past projects.
• Reduce administrative and regulatory review costs. Under the partnership, all service providers on the IndieBio-Science Exchange network are available under a single contract that protects IP and confidentiality. Science Exchange's in-house audit team also conducts inspections to ensure that contracted service providers possess necessary certifications, licenses, informed consent of subjects, and data security.
• Save time and money. The Science Exchange-powered IndieBio platform enables companies to quickly identify cost-competitive outsourced R&D options, including access to special offers exclusive to IndieBio-funded companies.

IndieBio joins more than 30 enterprise clients that are efficiently managing their outsourced R&D with Science Exchange-powered marketplaces.

About IndieBio

IndieBio is the world’s largest life sciences accelerator, having funded 67 biotech startups since starting in March 2015. Companies from all over the world apply to be part of a four-month acceleration program which includes $250,000 funding, dedicated mentorship, and 24/7 access to a co-working space and bio-safety level 1 & 2 labs. During the program, teams are focused on turning science into product, closing customers, and raising follow-on investment. With a focus on biology as a technology, IndieBio companies solve problems in a huge range of industries such as the future of food, biopharma and healthcare, agtech, regenerative medicine, neurotech, biomaterials and more. Notable alums include, Memphis Meats, Koniku, SyntheX Therapeutics, Catalog, Ava Winery, and Qidni Labs. For more information or to apply for their next program visit http://indiebio.co/apply/.

About Science Exchange

Science Exchange is the world's leading platform for outsourced research, providing an efficient procure-to-pay platform for ordering services from a network of more than 2,500 qualified scientific service providers, all with pre-established contracts in place that protect client intellectual property and confidentiality. The platform increases scientists' access to innovation and improves productivity, freeing them up from the administrative tasks and delays associated with sourcing, establishing and managing service provider contracts. Additionally, the Science Exchange enterprise program enables R&D organizations to consolidate research outsourcing spend into a single strategic relationship, driving efficiency and cost savings. Since being founded in 2011, Science Exchange has raised more than $58 million from Norwest Venture Partners, Maverick Capital Ventures, Union Square Ventures, Collaborative Fund, Index Ventures, OATV, the YC Continuity Fund, and others. For more information, visit http://www.scienceexchange.com. Follow the company on Twitter @ScienceExchange.

Media contact:

Kerry Metzdorf

Big Swing Communications

978-463-2575

kerry@big-swing.com