While Polaroid was foundational to Kendall Square's rise, its eventual decline after losing its innovative edge serves as a stark warning. This historical parallel highlights the risk of complacency for the current biotech sector, emphasizing that market leadership is fleeting and can be lost to competition.
Contrary to viewing regulation as only a barrier, the Cambridge City Council's decision to formally allow recombinant DNA research created a stable, sanctioned environment. This government approval was crucial for attracting investment and university talent to a controversial technology, turning it into a foundational industry.
Before becoming a biotech hub, Kendall Square's technological and infrastructure foundation was laid by non-biotech companies like Polaroid. This pre-existing industrial base, including old factories and a skilled workforce, provided the initial ingredients that allowed early biotech giants like Genzyme to establish themselves and thrive.
The idea of converting old industrial buildings into high-tech labs was once considered "crazy" and unworkable. Early real estate developers who took this risk were critical in providing the physical space for the biotech ecosystem to grow, demonstrating the viability of adaptive reuse before purpose-built facilities were common.