Southern Research opens new biotech incubator for startups | Bham Now
Wet lab space and office space, shared lab equipment, and services to support biotech startup growth are now available in Birmingham as Southern Research opens its latest venture. This new biotech incubator provides a much-needed solution to the lack of commercial wet lab space, a factor that has in the past led to the loss of companies and jobs. The incubator, located within Southern Research’s Station 41 commercialization hub, aims to fuel the growth of early-stage biotech and pharma companies by providing them with access to the organization’s renowned drug discovery and development capabilities.
Currently, the incubator can accommodate approximately 12 companies in its renovated building. Four companies have already moved in, including three local Birmingham-based companies and one from Austin, Texas. Southern Research is specifically targeting companies involved in treating and diagnosing diseases, with a focus on cancer, infectious diseases, and chronic diseases—areas that align with their core expertise. The organization expects the incubator to reach maximum capacity by the end of 2024.
Lexie Lehmann, Associate Director of Economic Development for Southern Research, emphasized the significance of this new biotech incubator for startups. She stated, In the beginning, there were a lot of conversations with local companies and entrepreneurs. Again, and again, we heard that this was a critical need and that the ecosystem needed a space like this that was specifically supporting biotech companies. What at the time was a lot of conversations, a lot of interviews, and paperwork is now a real-life space. We have four companies, and I feel like the fun part is just starting right now.
However, the biotech incubator is only the beginning. Construction is underway for a new biotech center, which started in May 2023. Once completed, the facility is expected to create 150 new jobs at Southern Research alone. The construction phase itself will generate 1,100 project-related jobs and bring about $190 million in economic activity.
Southern Research’s initiative to foster biotech innovation in Birmingham is a vital step toward claiming a spot in the competitive market. The availability of wet lab space and the support provided through the incubator, as well as the additional resources offered by the Accelerator, the Venture Studio, and the Therapeutics Development Fund housed within the Station 41 commercialization hub, create a nurturing environment for emerging biotech startups.
The establishment of the biotech incubator and the ongoing development of the new biotech center highlight Birmingham’s commitment to driving the growth of the biotech industry and preventing talent and economic opportunities from leaving the city. By leveraging the expertise and infrastructure of Southern Research, this initiative aims to attract and retain talent, ultimately establishing Birmingham as a hub for biotech innovation.
As Southern Research’s biotech incubator gains momentum and more companies move in, it becomes increasingly clear that Birmingham is positioning itself as a destination for cutting-edge biotech research and development. The potential impact of this endeavor extends beyond startups and job creation, offering hope for breakthroughs in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases—a prospect that benefits individuals worldwide. With determined efforts and continued investment, Birmingham has the potential to become a formidable player in the biotech industry, contributing to advancements in healthcare on a global scale.
