Biomed research facility gets OK at AUC

[Key Guy]

From Telegram.com, MA

http://www.telegram.com/article/20090424/NEWS/904240349/1101

Quote:

LANCASTER — A biomedical research facility on the Atlantic Union College campus that does surgical and other experimentation on animals was given a special permit by a unanimous vote of the Zoning Board last night.

Nobody from the neighborhood, comprising homes and buildings owned by the college, spoke in opposition to the facility, although three non-abutters objected to it because of concerns for the animals.

DaVinci Biomedical Products, 40 Maple St., had been under a cease-and-desist order from the town’s zoning enforcement agent since February because it was operating in a residential zone. The company, which has clients that include the National Institutes of Health and the military, moved into the former broom factory in 1999, but never applied for the proper zoning permit.

The special permit granted last night limits the company to no more than 20 employees — there are 14 now — and sets hours of operation. It also requires a yearly report submitted to the board by the town’s inspectional agents on the operation of the company to make sure no major changes are made.

Last night, DaVinci co-owner and president Joseph Villani told the board he did not realize he needed a permit, and learned about the building from colleagues at AUC, a Seventh-day Adventist college, who knew researchers at Loma Linda University in California, another Adventist college. The first heart transplant was done at Loma Linda. DaVinci rents from the college, but the college is not connected to it.

“They (college officials) knew we were good people and would not do anything unethical,” he said.

Mr. Villani said 200 to 500 scientists and doctors visit the facility each year to learn how to perform intricate surgical procedures. He said the regeneration of organs is also studied there, but not infectious diseases. He said he has state and federal permits, and is inspected every year by various top agencies.

He said that although there have been as many as 400 animals, including sheep, pigs, and rats, at the 50,000-square-foot building, they are usually quickly moved to other research facilities after preliminary procedures are done. Mr. Villani said there are generally about 50 to 200 animals in the building. He said he cannot discuss much about research findings because he has nondisclosure clauses with his clients. He said he buys hay for the animals from a local farmer, and animal supplies from the Lancaster Agway.

Dr. Mario Villani, Joseph Villani’s brother, a surgeon, said he develops surgical techniques on animals at DaVinci that he teaches to surgeons from all over the world who will eventually use them on humans.

“It is not run-of-the-mill research,” Dr. Villani said.

(more online)