Its official as of today


http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-117fautorreypines,0,155754.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines


It's official! FAU, Torrey Pines now partners

By CHARLIE REED
TCPalm.com
Posted January 17 2007, 1:25 PM EST



BOCA RATON – Florida Atlantic University and Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies officially became partners on Wednesday.

The two institutions finalized an agreement that brings together Torrey Pines' scientists and FAU's faculty, staff and students for joint research projects.


The international nonprofit biotech outfit announced in September it would expand from La Jolla, Calif., to Port St. Lucie.

The city brokered a $90 million incentive package to help attract Torrey Pines to the Treasure Coast. In exchange for bringing 189 jobs to Port St. Lucie within 10 years, Torrey Pines will receive a city-built, $40 million lab on 20 acres donated by developer Core Communities and $48 million from the state, St. Lucie County and FAU.

Wednesday's agreement outlines the $6.5 million commitment from FAU and finalized the university's pledge to 15,000 gross square feet of research and laboratory space in FAU's joint-use facility at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in St. Lucie County until Torrey Pines' permanent facilities are constructed in Port St. Lucie.

"FAU is pleased to enter into an agreement with Torrey Pines that will not only allow for advances in scientific research, but will promote the education and training of students, faculty and researchers to meet upcoming scientific challenges," said FAU President Frank Brogan.

The partnership also gives FAU students and faculty access to state-of-the-art equipment at Torrey Pines.

"We envision significant collaborative scientific and medical advances over a wide range of areas," said Richard Houghton, president of Torrey Pines.

"The joint scientific work by these two entities is part of what will make the Torrey Pines branch in Florida so exciting," he said.

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I wouldn't be surprised if Brogan tries to land one more firm to work near the Boca campus. This will depend on whether the city of Boca Raton officials have learned anything from their last attempt. Brogan must be a negotiating genius. Despite all the crap Torrey Pines and Scripps had to go through with negatiations and delays, they stuck with FAU as a partner.