By Julia Karow
This article was originally published Oct. 13.
Helicos BioSciences has given up part of its facility in Cambridge, Mass., and has extended its lease for the remainder until March 2010 or earlier.
In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission last week, the company said that it recently amended the lease for its 56,500-square-foot facility, consisting of its headquarters, research and development facility, and manufacturing plant.
Under the amendment, Helicos has terminated the use of approximately 10,100 square feet of "excess general and administrative space" as of Aug. 24. Its rent obligations for this space will end Oct. 31.
It has also extended the lease for approximately 27,300 square feet of its facility until Nov. 30, and has the option to extend it beyond that date on a month-to-month basis until March 31, 2010.
In addition, the company is renting approximately 16,800 square feet of "expansion space," for which yearly rent "shall continue to be due and payable pursuant to the lease," and is licensing about 2,200 square feet of storage space.
The lease for the company's entire space, comprising approximately 46,300 square feet, will expire on March 31, 2010, assuming the company "fully extends its month to month option."
Helicos originally signed the lease for its facility, at One Kendall Square in Cambridge, in Dec. 2005 and has since amended it five times.
Helicos officials did not respond to several requests for comment.