About Us - Science Center

Established in 1963, the University City Science Center was the first, and one is of the largest, urban research parks in the United States. We began as a collaboration among several local academic institutions, and now have 32  colleges, universities and research institutions  among our shareholders.

Throughout our 47-year history, the Science Center has focused on providing both the physical space and the key resources needed to help commercialize new technologies and nurture new companies.

The Science Center has been instrumental in assisting over 350 companies including Centocor, Neose Technologies, SEI, , Bentley Systems, 3-D Pharmaceuticals, BioRexis, Acuity and Morphotek among others.

The Science Center has assisted in the development and the building of  technology parks throughout the the world, including Kyoto, Japan; Sydney, Australia; Oxford, England; and Bangkok, Thailand.

Science Center At-A-Glance

• Established in 1963
• The oldest and largest urban incubator and science park in the world
• More than 350 companies originated at the Science Center. Today these companies employ more than 15,000 people and contribute to the Greater Philadelphia region’s vibrant life science industry. 
• Fully independent nonprofit 501C3 organization
• Owned & operated by 32 academic and medical research institutions
• Assn. of University Research Parks’ 2006 Science Park of the Year
• Campus covers 17 acres and 15 buildings
• Over 2 million square feet of wet labs, office, and retail space
• Over 100 companies reside in the Science Center facilties
• Resident companies employ approximately 7,500 people
• Newark, DE campus includes two buildings
• Located in the University City Keystone Innovation Zone and Keystone Opportunity Zone