Any biotech firms interested in leasing the remaining 260,000 square feet of lab space available in Boston’s Longwood Center should contact Mayor Thomas Menino – he’s ready to cut some deals.

The mayor used his keynote address this morning at the Bio International Convention in South Boston to flush out tenants for the 414,000-square-foot Longwood Center, scheduled to break ground later this week near the corner of Brookline and Longwood avenues.

"There’s still space available there," Menino said. "If you’re interested let us know. I’ll cut you a deal right away."

The mayor added there is little space left in the tight Longwood Medical Area for pharmaceutical or biotech firms interested in opening offices or labs there. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is – thus far – the sole tenant signed at Longwood Center, taking 154,000 square feet of space.

Menino told Banker & Tradesman he will be speaking with 36 different firms during the convention to convince them to make their home in the still unspoken-for space at Longwood Center.

Longwood Center is being developed by a partnership of National Development, Charles River Realty Investors and Alexandria Real Estate Equities.