On Tuesday, Southern Research announced the official opening of the Station 41 Biotechnology Incubator. It is one of four programs that make up the newly launched Station 41 Biotechnology Commercialization Hub. The incubator will provide wet lab and office space, shared lab equipment and services to support the growth of biotech startups.

The incubator is located in a newly renovated space on Southern Research's campus on Birmingham's Southside.

“Traditionally, Birmingham has lost businesses and jobs to other markets because of its lack of commercial wet lab space,” said Dr. Josh Carpenter, CEO of Southern Research. “With this incubator, we are beginning to address this need. Under the same roof, we are also providing early-stage biotech and pharmaceutical companies with access to our renowned drug discovery and development capabilities here at Southern Research.” We offer unique access to

In addition to their own office and lab space, companies in the incubator have priority access to Southern Research's screening facilities and connect with experts on staff who can help advance their products.

The incubator space is part of Southern Research's Station 41 Biotech Commercialization Hub, which also includes an accelerator, venture studio, and therapeutic development fund, all of which support biotech startups with funding, expertise, and resources. exists to support.

“The opening of Station 41 marks another major step forward in making Birmingham the leading biotechnology commercialization center in the Southeast,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts. “Here we will foster local innovation and entrepreneurship, attract new business and talent to the region, and help make Birmingham and Alabama even more competitive in the 21st century global economy.”

The Station 41 program is the cornerstone of efforts to expand biotechnology in Birmingham, which was given a major boost last year by Birmingham's designation as a regional technology hub.

“Just three months ago, we announced the Biden-Harris administration’s designation of Birmingham as a federal technology hub,” said Congressman Terry Sewell. “I couldn’t be more excited to join Southern Research and UAB in celebrating the official opening of the Station 41 Biotechnology Incubator today. The launch of this project supports our shared mission to solidify Birmingham as a hub for innovation. We have no doubt that it will attract major biotech companies, new jobs, and cutting-edge research to the Magic City. We would like to thank Southern Research, UAB, and the many partners who made this project possible. represents.”

The incubator will have space for 12 companies and will target companies involved in disease treatment and diagnosis, particularly those related to Southern Research's core focus areas such as cancer, infectious diseases and chronic diseases.

Four companies have already moved into the space, and incubator leaders expect it to be full by the end of the year.

“We are working to revolutionize the way the medical community treats and prevents chronic infectious lung diseases,” said Gaurav Mehta, CEO of Alveolus Bio, one of the companies in the incubator. says. “With our partnership with Southern Research's Station 41 Incubator, we are poised for success. We are grateful and excited to be a part of it. Birmingham's growing and promising life sciences ecosystem. ”

Another member, Adjuvax, is a startup focused on the early development of a new generation of vaccines made possible by new vaccine compounds discovered in the lab of UAB chemistry professor Pengfei Wang.

“Station 41 incubator is an ideal location for Adjuvax as it features well-designed lab space, shared facilities, and valuable on-site services that are important to startups,” said Wang. “The convenient location of the Station 41 incubator on Southern Research’s campus will also help Ajuvax establish further collaborations with Southern Research in vaccine development.”

The contractor for this project was Brasfield & Gorrie.

“Our team is passionate about building projects that benefit the communities in which we live and work, and Southern Research is taking it one step further,” said Regional Deputy Brasfield & Gorey. said Robbie Hayes, President and Division Manager. “Southern Research’s work is impacting the world as it develops world-class solutions that address modern health threats. Southern Research is committed to providing space for biotech entrepreneurs. , creating opportunities for others and further developing the biotech ecosystem in our city and state. We are excited to build out this important lab space.”