The labs have sat cold for a year and a half, but with tenants on their way, the Medical College of Georgia's business incubator is about to heat up.

"It's been quiet in the labs," said Michael Gabridge, the director of the Life Sciences Business Development Center. "But we've been actively recruiting across the Southeast."

MCG's incubator opened more than a year ago, and Dr. Gabridge predicted 100 percent occupancy's in all five labs by the end of 2004. As 2005 nears its end, Dr. Gabridge said he was "overly optimistic" at first.

"It took time to plant the seed and spread the word," he said.

Now, with four of the five labs accounted for, it's time to get to work.

"There is going to be a flurry of activity here in the month of November," Dr. Gabridge said.

The incubator was created for start-up companies in the life sciences field. It provides lab space, shared equipment that a start-up couldn't possibly afford and mentors and advisors from the business community.

Atlanta-based HealthTronics Laboratories has rented two labs since last November, but they are just moving in next month, Dr. Gabridge said. This company's emphasis is on finding more effective ways to process prostate biopsies for diagnosing cancer.

Also moving in next month is Xytex Research Inc., an Augusta-based company working on more effective ways to freeze human tissue, including eggs.

"Freezing sperm is straightforward," Dr. Gabridge said. "Freezing eggs is tedious, and they're looking for a way to do it effectively."

Dr. Armand Karow, the president of Xytex, said a research lab is necessary to continue their studies, and that the incubator is ideal.

"The space they are creating for each tenant is marvelously thought out in terms of floor plan and instrumentation," he said. "The tenants don't have to go out and purchase the basic equipment. It's already there for you."

It helps to have other companies around, as well, "to feed off the enthusiasm of each other," Dr. Karow said.

A third company, Columbia-based EmThrax, has expressed interest and likely will sign a year lease in the coming weeks, Dr. Gabridge said. This company is looking for a more effective vaccine for anthrax.

Four of the labs will be filled with these three companies, Dr. Gabridge said, and an Indianapolis-based company specializing in cancer therapy has expressed interest in the final lab.

Today, public officials and business leaders will tour the facility in an open house to see what the center is doing to attract bio-tech business into the CSRA.

Earlier this year, the facility was named a Life Sciences Innovation Center. This makes it one of six "Centers of Innovation" formed by the state - the only one dedicated to life sciences.

The designation provides a $150,000 grant every year for three years to help with outreach.

Reach Tony Lombardo at (706) 823-3227 or tony.lombardo@augustachronicle.com.